According to 2010 information provided by the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 151,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 suffer from diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes. Diabetes in this age group can be type 1 diabetes, which affects children or adolescents and always requires the use of insulin, or can be type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes traditionally affects adults and in the initial stages, requires treatment with dietary changes and sometimes oral medications. Regardless of the type of diabetes your child has, dietary modifications to keep her blood glucose within normal limits can help avoid complications.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for your child's body, but also have the greatest effect on blood sugar. Your child will need to count the amount of carbohydrates that he eats at each meal to help determine the amount of insulin he needs to keep his blood sugar within normal limits. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that helps bring glucose into the cells. Without insulin, glucose remains in the bloodstream and causes hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. A nutritionist can calculate the amount of carbohydrate your child should eat at a given meal. If your child requires 75 g of carbohydrate at a meal, you can give him a small bagel, low sugar jelly and a glass of milk for breakfast as this meal has approximately 75 g of carbohydrate. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and grain products all contain carbohydrates.
Protein
Protein does not impact your child's blood sugar as much as carbohydrate. In fact, consuming protein with carbohydrates can slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates and have a beneficial effect on blood glucose. Children require approximately 3 to 4 ounces of protein, daily while teenage girls require 5 to 6 ounces and teenage boys require 6 to 7 ounces. Examples of foods high in protein include meat, cheese, nuts and eggs.
Fat
Fat also does not raise your child's blood sugar level as high or as quickly as carbohydrate. Foods high in fat, however, should be consumed in moderation as they are calorie-dense and contribute to obesity and increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. Foods high in fat content include cakes, cookies and whole-fat dairy products such as butter and cheese. Foods that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as avocado, nuts and fish are preferred fat sources as these fats do not raise cholesterol levels.
