November 4, 2004
Meal Planning, Food and Diet, School and Daycare
Question from Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom:
What will a school need to consider when providing food for a seven year old boy with type 1 diabetes?
Answer:
I know that, in Manchester, your diabetes team will be happy to contact the school and discuss with you and the teachers what your child requires. The most important aspect is that someone ensures that your son eats his lunch. If you are not providing him with a pack lunch, then it is necessary for someone to know what carbohydrates are and how much he needs to eat. Staff also need to know how to recognize and deal with a hypoglycemic reaction without panic. Many parents take a box into the class with Lucozade and biscuits and the teacher keeps this in a safe place. You should also develop a mechanism whereby you are informed if your son has any low blood sugars, even mild ones, at school. Some teachers are happy to supervise a blood test at lunchtime and this will be available in the meter memory or should be written down.
KJR
