September 27, 1999
Meal Planning, Food and Diet
Question from Orange Park, Florida, USA:
My son is 12 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four months ago. My question concerns diet. We count carbohydrates and his insulin is based on this (Humalog and NPH twice daily). In an effort to let him be a kid as much as possible we let him eat as most kids, which isn’t very healthy–not to mention he’s fairly finicky. We don’t want diabetes to seem unbearable and completely change his life, but I want to know if I should be a little more concerned about the types of foods he eats as long as his blood sugar is under control.
Answer:
I suggest that you continue to offer and eat yourselves the foods that you believe are healthy. The Food Guide Pyramid will give you a good guide for the recommendations for healthy eating. Children need to be offered foods even if they don’t like them. I agree that the child with diabetes should be allowed to eat the same foods as any other child, but I believe all children should be exposed to good food on a daily basis. If he will not eat vegetables and fruits, you might consider a one a day type vitamin to improve his vitamin intake. You can discuss this with your dietitian or pediatrician.
JM
