There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is known as juvenile diabetes, and type 2 is known as adult-onset diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is often diagnosed in children under the age of 17 and is often more severe than adult-onset diabetes. Diabetic children produce very little to no insulin, a hormone that regulates blood-glucose levels. They typically require treatment via daily insulin injections. Diet modifications are also necessary.
Range
Type I diabetics have to monitor their blood sugar on a daily basis. The ideal range must be 70 to 110 mg/dL before a meal and 100 to 140 mg/dL at bedtime.
Calories
Diabetics must pay careful attention to their calories and the sources of those calories. Complex carbohydrates must account for about 60 percent of total calorie intake, while protein should provide 10 to 20 percent, and fats should be 30 percent or less. Saturated fats should be less than 7 percent, and trans fats should be less than 1 percent of total calorie intake.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are among the most crucial macronutrients that juvenile diabetics must consider. Carbs have a glycemic index numbers, which indicate the rate of digestion and absorption. Low-glycemic carbs such as whole grains, oat bran and brown rice are digested slowly and release sugar into the bloodstream at a normal rate. High-glycemic carbs, such as white bread and rice, candies and pastries, are absorbed quickly and cause blood-glucose levels to spike. Type 1 diabetics must try to avoid high-glycemic carbs.
Protein
Protein does not affect blood-sugar levels, and like low-glycemic carbohydrates, they are digested slowly. Diabetics, however, must pay attention to the type of protein they consume. It should be primarily chicken, fish and plant proteins like soy, legumes and beans. Red meat tends to have a lot of saturated fat, which diabetics need to limit. Plant proteins however, have a lot of fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar.
