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Children with Diabetes |
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Diet for Child with DiabetesParents of diabetic children have an unusual and important challenge when it comes to planning meals and snacks. Because diet is such an important part of the care of diabetes, a specific food plan and schedule, prescribed by a physician and planned by a registered dietitian, always is tailored to each diabetic child's needs. Food plans for diabetic children are designed to control both the long and short term effects and complications of the disease, while filling needs for normal growth and development. The big hurdle confronted by parents of diabetic children is limiting refined sugar. Although special foods made without refined sugar are available in pharmacies, catalogs and some supermarkets, these tend to be expensive and offer few advantages other than convenience. The needs of diabetic children can be met with common foods available in supermarkets. Menus for diabetic children generally provide 50 to 60 percent of the calories from carbohydrates (mostly from starches, but also from lactose in milk and fructose in fruits), 25 to 35 percent from fat (mostly polyunsaturated vegetable fats) and 15 to 20 percent from protein. The appropriate number of calories are allowed each day varies according to the child's age, weight, height, sex and level of activity. Most food plans for children with diabetes call for three meals and two or three snacks a day. Five or six small meals help prevent the occurrence of wide swings between high and low sugar concentrations in the body. Insulin injections are given at same times each day, and the child with diabetes should eat regular meals and snacks during the time when the insulin is most active. Emotional and Mental Challenges for Parents with Diabetic ChildYoung children and their parents usually can get into a routine that matches eating with insulin injections. Teenagers, however, who experience social pressure to eat foods that are high in sugar, may find the limitations of the diabetic diet too restrictive. Parents should show patience and understanding toward the hardships faced by the adolescent with diabetes; however, the importance of maintaining a sensible diet should be emphasized. It is a good idea for parents to allow their diabetic children to help plan their diets. This will make them more aware of the types of foods they should eat and the acceptable quantities. Diabetic children who understand their restrictions and the consequences of eating inappropriate foods will be better able to deal with the disease when they are away from home. There are many more challenges that parents with diabetic child may face. It is tough time for both parents and child. Below is a well-written e-book in helping parents, especially newly diagnosed parents to prepare their child and also their family for a rich and healthy life with Diabetes. The e-book provides heartfelt and hopeful perspective and guides on helping the emotional and physical challenges faced by parenting a child with diabetes. Free E-Book - So Your Child Has Diabetes
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