My eight year old son has type 1 diabetes. What are some good snack options that will not increase his blood sugars? What are some good options to help during hypoglycemia?

Good healthy snacks for an eight year old would include baby carrots with some low fat ranch dressing, celery sticks with a sprinkling of peanut butter and a few raisins, sugar free gelatin, a string cheese stick, or a slice of lean turkey or ham wrapped around a stalk of broccoli. These are all low carb or low fat protein options that should not affect blood sugars.

On the other hand, for treating hypoglycemia, try using carb items (15 grams of carb at a time) with little protein and/or fat. Some good ideas of 15 grams of carbohydrate items would include: one-half cup of orange juice, a cup of low fat milk, four to six ounces of regular soda, three glucose tablets, seven Lifesavers.

JMS