Like all other kids, your diabetic kid needs to eat a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods from each of the food groups to support normal growth and development. The only difference being that your diabetic child needs to balance the amount of carbohydrates he eats at each meal with his blood sugar levels and insulin regimen.
Starches
Foods with carbohydrate raise blood sugars and you need to control the amount your kid eats to help maintain blood sugar levels. Consult with your doctor or dietitian about the amount of carbohydrates your kid needs to eat at each meal. Each serving of starch contains 15 g of carbohydrates. For health and blood sugar control, choose more whole grain starches. Healthy starch choices and servings sizes for diabetic kids include one slice of whole wheat bread, 1/3 cup of whole wheat pasta or brown rice, 1/2 cup of peas or corn, 1/2 cup of hot cooked cereal, 3/4 cup of whole wheat ready-to-eat cereal, six whole grain crackers and 3 cups of popcorn.
Fruits
Fruits also contain carbohydrates but make a healthy choice for your kids diet with its fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A and folate content. Each serving of fruit contains 15 g of carbohydrate. Healthy choices and serving sizes for diabetic kids include a small apple or orange, 4 oz. of bananas, 1/2 cup unsweetened canned fruit, 17 grapes, 1 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of fresh melon, two small plums, a medium peach or nectarine, half of a large pear and 1/2 cup of juice. Offer your kid whole fruit more often than juice for its fiber.
Milk and Yogurt
Milk and yogurt items contain 12 g of carbohydrate per serving. They also provide calcium and vitamin D for bone health. Offer your kid low-fat or nonfat milk and yogurt products to limit intake of saturated fat and calories. Healthy choices and serving sizes for diabetic kids include 1 cup of low-fat or nonfat milk, 6 oz. of low-fat or nonfat sugar-free yogurt and 1 cup of soy milk.
Nonstarchy Vegetables
Nonstarchy vegetables contain only 5 g of carbohydrate per serving and generally do not need to be counted toward your kid's carbohydrate meal intake. Vegetables make an important contribution to a healthy diet by providing fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate and potassium. A serving size is equal to 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw. Examples of nonstarchy vegetables include broccoli, leafy greens, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, celery, tomatoes and peppers.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meat and meat substitutes provide your kid with important nutrients for growth such as protein, iron and zinc. Offer lean cuts of meat and low-fat meat substitutes to limit fat intake. Choices and single-serving sizes include 1 oz. of poultry, 1 oz. of fish. 1 oz. of lean red meat, one egg, 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of tofu.
