Kids with diabetes do not need to eat special food. In fact, a diabetic diet for kids should include all of the healthy foods all kids should be eating. The only difference is that kids with diabetes need to control the amount of carbohydrate they eat at each meal to help control blood sugar. A 2,200-calorie diet plan can help kids with diabetes balance their carbohydrate intake and meet all of their nutrient needs. Consult with your child's physician before starting any diet plan for your child.
Starches
Starches contain carbohydrates and the amount your kid eats at each meal needs to be controlled. Your kid can have 12 servings of starches each day on a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan. Starch choices and serving sizes include one slice of bread; 3/4 cups of ready-to-eat cereal; 1/2 cup of hot cereal; 1/3 cup of rice or pasta; 1/2 cup of peas, potatoes or corn; five crackers or 3 cups of popcorn.
Fruits
Fruits provide your kid with important vitamins and minerals, but also contain carbohydrate. Fruit intake on a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan should be limited to three servings a day. Healthy choices and serving sizes include a small apple, orange or banana; 17 grapes; 1 1/4 cups of whole strawberries; a peach or nectarine; 2 tbsp. of dried fruit; 1/2 cup of unsweetened canned fruit; or 1/2 cup of orange or apple juice.
Milk
Milk is important for kids because it provides calcium and vitamin D for bone health. Milk, however, also contains carbohydrates and your kid needs to control the amount he drinks at meals and snacks. Your child needs three servings of milk a day on a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1 cup of 1 percent fat milk or nonfat milk; 6 oz. of low-fat or nonfat sugar-free yogurt and 1 cup of soy milk. Children older than age 2 should be drinking low-fat milk.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meat and meat substitutes do not contain carbohydrate, but provide your kid with a good source of protein. On a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan, your child needs eight servings of meat and meat substitutes a day. Choose leaner cuts of meat to limit saturated fat intake. People with diabetes have higher rates of heart disease, and high intakes of saturated fat increase blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1 oz. of skinless poultry, fish, beef eye of round, extra lean ground meat or pork tenderloin; 1 oz. of low-fat cheese; one egg or 1/2 cup of tofu.
Nonstarchy Vegetables
Nonstarchy vegetables contain only small amounts of carbohydrate, but you do not need to restrict your child's intake. Your child needs four servings of nonstarchy vegetables each day on a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan. Serving sizes include 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked vegetable. Broccoli, green beans, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, tomatoes and leafy greens all make healthy choices.
Fats
Your child can have five servings of fat on a 2,200-calorie diabetic diet plan. Fat does not affect blood sugar, but as a concentrated source of calories, eating too much can cause weight gain. Healthy choices and serving sizes include 1 tsp. of butter, margarine, oil or mayonnaise; 1 1/2 tsp. of peanut butter; six almonds; 20 peanuts or 1 tbsp. of salad dressing.
