Nutrition for Kids with Diabetes

After a long day you kick off your shoes, get into some comfy clothes and head to the fridge for a much-anticipated snack. Then comes dinner and usually dessert or another snack before bed. Is this story familiar? It’s not a bad situation, but when some eating habits can be detrimental to your health, especially when diabetes is involved.

Childhood obesity is on the rise. Educating parents and children alike on healthy eating habits is essential! For parents of a child with diabetes, there is no option but to be in the know when it comes to proper nutrition for children. We are here to provide some important information and tips that can help make things a little easier.

Parents, lead the way!

Parents lead the way when it comes to what is purchased and prepared in the home. They set the example for making healthy choices and bear the responsibility for teaching them. Lives are busy! Many families go in all different directions on any given day. That doesn’t mean good choices are thrown out the window. Managing nutrition is also the key element in keeping things under control for a child with diabetes.

Tips and tools

Get children involved! Allow them to join you shopping to pick out fun foods or new fruits and veggies they’d like to try. Make food fun. Search online sites with fun ways to serve healthy food to kids. Cook at home and let them help you prepare the food. Grow a garden as a family and enjoy eating the fruits of your labors together. All these things provide great bonding time too!

Children with diabetes need to focus on foods such as fresh fruit, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Have snacks ready and portioned out so they can grab a quick bite on the go. Teach about self-discipline, portion sizes and being aware of fat and sugar intake.

It isn’t always easy to stay on top of things but if diabetes isn’t managed, serious complications can arise. Foot problems are high on the list. If you or your child has foot complications from diabetes, please call our office for help. Drs. Brook and Northcutt have expertise dealing with diabetic feet in children and adults. Call Dallas (972) 566-7474 or Plano (972) 943-3323.

Looking for some nutritional recipes to try out at home? Check out our Pinterest board called “Life is Endlessly Delicious”!