Most children with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes do not make enough insulin and must receive insulin injections to move sugar from the bloodstream into the cells to supply energy. To help manage blood sugar, children with diabetes should aim to eat the same amount of carbohydrates at each meal. Foods with carbohydrate include starch, fruit, milk and yogurt. Carbohydrate needs vary based on your child's calorie needs and blood sugar goals. Consult with a doctor or dietitian for formal recommendations. Based on average calorie needs of 1,200 to 1,600 calories, you can start with 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal with one 15 g carbohydrate snack.
Breakfast
When it comes to counting carbohydrates, use food labels and basic portion sizes to help stay on track. Food planning guides, such as the diabetes exchange guide, provides a list of food serving sizes with its carbohydrate content. A 45 to 60 g carbohydrate breakfast meal for children may consist of two slices of French toast with 2 tbsp. of light pancake syrup and 1 cup of skim milk. Children can also have a 2 oz. bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter with a small banana and a cup of skim milk. Or, they can have 1 1/2 cups of cold unsweetened cereal with 1 cup of skim milk and 1 cup of sliced strawberries.
Lunch
To improve your child's blood sugar control, offer him foods high in fiber. Fiber slows food digestion allowing for a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream. High fiber foods include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A 45 to 60 g carbohydrate diabetic lunch meal for children may include a turkey roll-up made with an 8-inch whole wheat tortilla and lean turkey luncheon meat, lettuce, tomato and mustard or mayonnaise. Serve this with 1/2 cup of unsweetened fruit cocktail, a 6 oz. container of sugar-free yogurt and carrot and celery sticks. Diabetic children may also have a hamburger with 15 french fries, green beans and a small apple for lunch.
Dinner Meals
Offer your child lean meats and low-fat and nonfat dairy foods to limit his intake of saturated fat. Children with diabetes have higher rates of heart disease as adults and limiting saturated fat intake can help reduce that risk. A diabetic dinner meal for children may consist of 1 cup of whole wheat pasta tossed with mixed vegetables and grilled chicken with Parmesan cheese. Serve with 1 cup of skim milk. Children can also have a grilled cheese sandwich with 1 cup of chicken noodle soup and 1 cup of skim milk.
Snacks
Children with type 1 diabetes may need a bedtime snack to prevent low blood sugars during the night. Each snack should contain about 15 g of carbohydrate and some protein. Snack ideas include 1 cup of skim milk, a 6 oz. container of sugar-free yogurt, six saltine crackers and peanut butter, a small apple and a string cheese, 1/2 a sandwich or 1/2 cup of unsweetened cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk.
