Diabetes Three-Part Plan

• Healthful eating. In general, following a balanced meal plan similar to My Pyramid is good for your child—and the whole family. A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) will develop a personal meal plan that includes regular meals and snacks with the right amount of food and carbohydrates to help avoid high and low blood glucose. If your child is overweight, the RD or CDE will make sure the meal plan helps achieve an appropriate weight for height.
• Physical activity. Like other kids, a child with diabetes needs at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Physical activity lowers blood glucose levels and burns calories to promote weight management. Get physical activity tips for kids.
• Monitoring and meds. Your child’s doctor or CDE will show your child and you how and when to test and record blood glucose throughout the day and, if necessary, how to adjust food and any diabetes medications such as insulin.

Kid-Friendly Food Tips

• For school lunch. Check the school lunch menu in advance and talk with your child about choices that best fit the meal plan, or pack a nutritious brown bag lunch.
• At snack time. Keep nutritious snacks on hand such as fruit, cut-up veggies, nuts, low fat or fat free artificially sweetened yogurt, reduced or low fat cheese and whole grain crackers. See more smart snacking ideas for kids.
• At the mall or fast food place. Review nutritious options such as small burgers without mayo or sauce, grilled chicken sandwiches, small bags of pretzels or baked chips, thin-crust pizza topped with veggies, low fat or fat free milk, diet soft drinks and water.
• On sweet occasions. Generally speaking, a child with diabetes can enjoy the same sweets and desserts as other kids at birthday parties and special times like Halloween. The trick is for them to keep portions small and trade the carbohydrates in the sweets for carbs somewhere else in their meal plan. The carbohydrate content needs to be incorporated into the meal plan for that time of day, especially if taking insulin. Check with a CDE or RD for specific advice.
• At holiday time. When it’s time for a big holiday meal, your child may need to adjust their insulin and eating schedule. You can lighten up traditional favorites by preparing them with less fat and sugar, which would decrease total calories, fat and carbohydrates per serving. Here are a few recipe ideas:
  Light Boo Cups
  Cottage Cheese Apple Dippers
  Made-Over Cheeseburgers
• For the star athlete. If your child participates in strenuous sports, the doctor will probably advise that blood glucose be checked beforehand, and may adjust their medication. Make sure the coach knows the signs of low blood sugar and that your child has blood glucose tablets, hard candy or 6 oz cans of 100% juice on hand just in case.

Learn more about kids and diabetes: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Especially for kids: American Diabetes Association Youth Zone