Children with type 1 diabetes need to monitor the carbohydrates and sugar they consume on a daily basis. Instead of policing your child's eating habits and turning mealtime into a chore, pick meals and snacks that are nutritious and fun to eat. Talk to your child's pediatrician before making any changes in her diet, especially if she has any additional medical conditions or allergies.
Breakfast Burrito
Vary your child's breakfast every day so she doesn't get sick of eating plain cereal every morning. Make a breakfast burrito before school to get your child excited to start the day. Scramble an egg and an extra egg white in a frying pan, and then add chopped vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers and tomatoes. Sprinkle on a small amount of light cheddar cheese, then place it all on a whole-grain tortilla -- depending on your child's diet, you might opt for egg substitute and a low-carb tortilla, available at grocery stores. Pour a spoonful of salsa over the eggs and veggies, then roll it up for a flavorful breakfast treat that's diabetes friendly.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
If your child turns her nose up at lunch, surprise her with a yummy grilled cheese sandwich. Place 1 oz. -- about one slice -- of light cheddar cheese in between two pieces of whole-wheat bread, then add 1 1/2 tsp. of light margarine to a hot frying pan. When the margarine is hot and melted, place the sandwich on the pan. Cook until both sides are brown, then serve with a bowl of low-sodium tomato soup. If desired, cut the cooked sandwich with a cookie cutter to make fun shapes, such as a star or a circle.
Chicken Bake
Create a quick and easy oven-baked meal for your child with minimal preparation and cleanup. Remove the skin from four chicken breasts, then place them next to each other in a casserole dish. Drizzle the chicken with 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and 1 cup of low-sodium cream of mushroom soup. Add any fresh veggies you have in the fridge, such as sliced carrots, broccoli, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. Add a can of pinto beans and season with fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the dish, and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.
Spicy Popcorn
Make movie night more fun for your child by creating a special diabetes-friendly popcorn just for her. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees, then combine 7 1/2 cups of plain popped popcorn and a small amount of cooking spray with a butter flavor. Toss with 1 1/2 tsp. of onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp. of cumin, 1 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder and, if desired, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Coat the mixture with 1 1/2 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce and toss until it is evenly coated. Pour the popcorn into a casserole dish and bake it for 10 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir once halfway through cooking time.
