“What diet is best for kids with diabetes?”

Children need a regular diet with all the food groups. They should avoid excessive sweets and carbohydrates. However, complex carbohydrates, bread, starch are all part of a regular diet. Try to maintain a normal weight. Do not focus excessively on the diet or the child can rebel. Children on insulin often need a bedtime "snack" to avoid nocturnal diabetes.

This is a difficult question as there are many different ideas. My feeling is that children with diabetes should not have any sweetened beverages (this includes sugar-free drinks and foods). Children should have more protein in the diet than adults. I recommend that all the carbohydrates be given with meals as this is when the insulin is given. As with everyone who wants to be healthy, kids with diabetes should limit grains as much as possible. Eliminating processed foods as much as possible.

A low-carbohydrate, low-fat, high-protein diet. Try to avoid simple carbohydrates. Consult the web for sample menus.

It depends on the type of diabetes. In general, we recommend a low-carbohydrate diet.

Hello,

Thank you for your question. I don't know the age of your niece nor whether she has diabetes I or II, so I'll answer generally.

Protein, fat, and carbohydrates should be incorporated into each meal. A small amount of protein and fat end up as sugar in the blood, so additional insulin is usually not needed to cover these foods (if your niece is insulin dependent). Include protein foods with two or more meals or snacks every day. Low-fat dairy to meet calcium needs is a great food choice. Most dairy foods count as carbohydrates. Low glycemic carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread, oats, high-fiber cereal and starchy vegetables like potatoes are great choices. Limit consumption of refined sugary foods like candy and desserts. Make sure your niece gets 60 minutes of exercise daily, drinks plenty of water, and gets restful sleep every day.