According to the National Diabetes Education Program, approximately 186,000 people under the age of 20 have diabetes. Though most of these people have type 1 diabetes, the incidence of type 2 diabetes in teenagers is increasing. Type 2 diabetes is typically related to obesity and is seen primarily in adults older than 45 but is becoming more common in children and teenagers. Dietary changes can both decrease your teenager's risk of developing type 2 diabetes and help to control diabetes.
Background
If your teenager has diabetes, her blood glucose is too high because her body does not make insulin or does not respond to insulin appropriately. Insulin is a hormone used to allow the cells in the body to use glucose for fuel. In type 1 diabetes, the cells that make insulin are destroyed and the body does not produce sufficient insulin. In type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced but the cells in the body cannot use it effectively. Type 2 diabetes is much more common if you are overweight or obese, and dietary changes that control blood glucose are helpful in both situations.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are a component of food that produces energy but also breaks down easily into sugar. Because insulin is either not present or not utilized well, this sugar has difficulty getting into cells and can cause high blood glucose. If your teenager has diabetes, you will want to ensure that he eats carbohydrates that are high in vitamins and nutrients such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. Carbohydrates such as candy and sugar should be avoided because they are devoid of nutrients and will raise blood glucose. Foods rich in fiber will not increase blood sugar because your child's body does not digest or absorb it. Your child's physician may recommend counting the number of servings of carbohydrates and limiting it to a certain amount each meal.
Weight Loss
If your child has type 1 diabetes, weight loss will not improve her blood glucose. With type 2 diabetes, however, weight loss or lack of further weight gain can help control diabetes if your child is overweight or obese. A teenager should never severely restrict caloric intake but rather should use healthy meal planning to lose weight slowly over time. Your child should aim for 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of low-fat dairy products, 6 to 7 oz. of healthy grain products and 5 to 6 oz. of meat daily.
Considerations
Since teenagers are still growing, enlisting the help of a nutritionist that specializes in children with diabetes can be extremely helpful. Your child's dietary needs will depend on his age, size and level of physical activity as well as on the type of diabetes he has. As discussed by the National Diabetes Education Program, your teenager does not need a separate meal plan; a diet that is healthy for a person with diabetes is healthy for your entire family.
