Children with diabetes do not need to eat special foods. But when it comes to meal planning, it is important to offer consistent portions of healthy foods at around the same time each day, especially the carbohydrate-containing foods. A constant carbohydrate diet provides the same amount of carbohydrates at each meal and snack. Carbohydrate needs vary based on your child's age and activity level. Consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine how much your child needs to eat each day. Most children need between 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day, according to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute.
Breakfast
Based on a 1,400-calorie diet, children with diabetes should try to eat 40 to 50 g of carbohydrate at the breakfast meal. Carbohydrate foods include starches, fruits, milk and yogurt. Use food labels and basic food serving sizes to help you count grams of carbohydrate. A constant carbohydrate breakfast meal consisting of 40 to 50 g may include two slices of toast with butter or margarine, a scrambled egg and 1 cup of milk, or 3/4 cup of unsweetened cold cereal with 1 cup of milk and a banana. A constant carbohydrate pancake breakfast may include two 4-inch blueberry pancakes with 2 tbsp. of sugar free pancake syrup.
Lunch
KidsHealth.org suggests that you keep track of your child's daily intake and blood sugars to help better manage his diabetes. A healthy lunch for children with diabetes contains about 40 to 50 g of carbohydrates. A constant carbohydrate lunch meal for your child may consist of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich -- limit jelly on your child's sandwich to 1 tsp. -- with 1 cup of milk. Children can also have a cup of chicken noodle soup with three saltine crackers, string cheese and a small orange, or a slice of cheese pizza with carrot sticks and 1 cup of milk.
Dinner
Try to keep meals balanced by offering foods from each food group. Even if your child doesn't eat everything on his plate, exposing him to a variety of healthy foods at a young age can help him develop healthy eating habits he can carry with him into adulthood. A constant carbohydrate diabetic dinner for children should contain 40 to 50 g of carbohydrates. An example may include grilled chicken with steamed broccoli and a medium baked potato with 1 cup of strawberries for dessert. Your child can also have a hamburger on a bun with 15 french fries and carrot coins, or 1 cup of spaghetti with meatballs and a tossed salad.
Snacks
Children with diabetes need to eat snacks to help them manage their blood sugars. Aim for two snacks a day each with 15 g of carbohydrates. Snack ideas include 1 cup of milk, 6 oz. of sugar free yogurt, a small apple, 17 grapes, 3/4 cup of dry cereal, six saltine crackers with peanut butter, a slice of toast with cheese, 1/2 cup serving of sugar free pudding and 3 cups of popcorn.
