Children with diabetes do not need to follow a special diet, but more importantly need to pay attention to how much and when they eat, according to Texas Pediatric Surgical Center. Snacks for children with diabetes should be planned and contain consistent amounts of carbohydrate. Your pediatrician can help you determine how many grams of carbohydrate to have at each snack.
Low-Carbohydrate Snacks
Low-carbohydrate snacks contain less than 5 g of carbohydrate per serving. Carbohydrates in food cause blood sugars to elevate. Low-carbohydrate snacks may best be suited for hungry children with high blood sugars. Examples of low-carbohydrate snacks for diabetic children include three celery sticks with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter, five baby carrots or 1 cup of sliced cucumber slices with 1 tbsp. of ranch dressing, two saltine crackers, 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries, 1 cup of popcorn, a sugar-free popsicle, 1/2 cup serving of sugar-free gelatin, 10 Goldfish crackers, one piece of string cheese; slices of turkey rolled with lettuce leaves and served with mustard or mixed salad greens with oil and vinegar.
10 to 20 G Carbohydrate Snacks
Most snacks for children with diabetes should be healthy. Teaching your children to make healthy choices now will help them make healthy choices as adults. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In addition to providing your child with vitamins and minerals, the fiber in these foods can also help them manage their blood sugar. Diabetic snacks for children containing 10 to 20 g of carbohydrate include 1/2 cup of whole-grain cold cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk, one small apple or orange, six whole-grain crackers and one slice of low-fat cheese, 1/2 cup of almonds, one slice of whole-wheat bread toasted with 1/2 tbsp. of peanut butter; 3 cups of popcorn or half a sandwich, such as turkey, roast beef or cheese.
30 G Carbohydrate Snacks
Many children may need to eat a snack before bedtime to prevent low blood sugars while they are sleeping. A 2003 study published in "Diabetes Care" determined bedtime snacks should include both carbohydrates- and protein-containing foods. Diabetic snacks for children with 30 g of carbohydrate include 3/4 cup serving of whole-grain cold cereal with 1 cup of skim milk, toasted English muffin with one slice of low-fat cheese, 6 oz. of nonfat sugar-free yogurt with three graham cracker squares; a medium banana with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter; 1 cup of chicken noodle soup with six saltine crackers and 1 oz. of low-fat cheese or two chocolate cookies and 1 cup of skim milk.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Your Diabetes Eating Plan: Exchange Lists
- Kids Health: Texas Pediatric Surgery Center: Meal Plans and Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Snacks
- Diabetes Care: Impact of Bedtime Snack Composition on Prevention of Nocturnal Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Undergoing Intensive Insulin Management Using Lispro Insulin Before Meals
