Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar and insulin resistance by cells. This condition affects adults and children. Increased weight and obesity are significant risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. You can manage type 2 diabetes with a healthy diet that can help you control your blood sugar and prevent complications. Consult your doctor or nutritionist about the health and diet of your children with type 2 diabetes.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal for children with type 2 diabetes considering the length of time from the last meal. A nutritious breakfast for children is a whole grain cereal with fresh fruit and either low-fat milk, soy milk or almond milk. Whole grains are lower in glycemic index than refined grains. Glycemic index is a measurement of how fast it takes for your body to digest and absorb sugar from foods. Whole grains contain the entire seed kernel, which includes the bran, germ and endosperm, components that contain many nutrients and fiber. Fruit contains a plethora of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children eat generous amounts of fruits throughout the day to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Lunch
For lunch, feed your children a cup of vegetable barley soup and a tuna fish sandwich on whole grain pumpernickel bread with tomato, lettuce, cucumbers and sprouts. Barley and whole grain pumpernickel are low glycemic foods. Vegetables are a rich source of micronutrients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that children eat vegetables throughout the day. Tuna fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that may reduce your child's risk of heart disease, a common complication among people with type 2 diabetes.
Dinner
An easy-to-prepare dinner meal for children with type 2 diabetes is a small green leaf vegetable salad, soy burger and side dishes of peas and brown rice. Soy is a legume that contains healthy fats to reduce your risk of heart disease. Soy also contains soluble fiber, an indigestible substance that reduces the amount of cholesterol you absorb from foods and also slows the digestion of sugar from foods; this helps prevent spikes in blood sugar.
Snacks
Peanuts are a low glycemic food that is a nutritious snack for children with type 2 diabetes, provided they are not allergic to peanuts. Low glycemic fruits, such as apples, pears and peaches, also are a healthy snack. A third healthy snack is carrots, a vegetable that is a rich source of vitamin A and fiber.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load; Liu, S.; February 2009
- Harvard School of Public Health; Health Gains from Whole Grains; 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need?; 2010
- American Diabetes Association; Fat and Diabetes; 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; 2009
