Diabetic Food Plan For Children with Diabetes

There is much advice about the types of foods to eat when one is diabetic. This is especially so when it comes to a diabetic food plan for children. Children are growing and they need different types and quantities of foods than adults. If a child has diabetes then this consideration has to be balanced against the demands of a growing body. It is no longer just a case of avoiding sugary foods although this is still a valid concept, but it is more important to eat a balanced and nutritious diet. This article will focus of a food plan for children with diabetes.

Ultimately you want to educate your child about how to eat healthier and take responsibility for their own diet. The first thing you should get across is that they do not have to give up their favorite  foods. Other useful educational tools are the food pyramid and the exchange list created by the American Diabetes Association.

The diabetic food pyramid breaks foods into their food groups, in the shape of a pyramid. The base of the pyramid are the foods that you should eat the most. The foods at the tip of the pyramid should be seen as a treat and eaten rarely or for treats.

The exchange list is a chart of all the food groups that can be found in the pyramid but goes into more depth. It includes starches, fruits, vegetables, meats and meat substitutes, milk, fats, and free foods. By outlining the individual foods, combination foods, and portion sizes, it becomes much easier to create a diet plan.

The exchange list works by grouping foods that have similar affects on the body together. Thus you can exchange foods for others in the same group or list. Here is an example :

Let’s say that your child’s meal plan calls 1500 calorie meal plan to be distributed throughout the day.

Breakfast Exchanges: 2 bread/starch, 1 protein, 1 fruit, 2 fat, and ½ milk:

¾ cup of Ready to eat unsweetened cereal
1 slice of toast
½ cup of juice
1 slice of bacon
1 tsp of margarine
4 oz. 2% milk

Lunch Exchanges: 2 bread/starch, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 2 protein, 1 fat, and ½ milk:

2 oz. hamburger
1 bun
½ c. canned fruit
½ c. non-starchy cooked vegetables, or 1 c. of raw vegetables
1 tsp. mayonnaise
4 oz. 2% milk

Supper Exchanges: 2 bread/starch, 2 protein, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, and ½ milk:

2 oz. baked chicken
½ c. mashed potatoes
½ c. canned fruit
½ c. non-starchy cooked vegetables or 1 c. raw vegetables
1 tsp. of margarine
4 oz. 2% milk

Afternoon or Evening snack: 1 starch/bread and ½ milk:

8 animal crackers
4 oz. 2% milk.

If your child doesn’t like the foods listed above you simply look at the Exchange List for different alternatives. In no time at all you will be planning healthy well-balanced meals and snacks with ease. A diabetic food plan for children with diabetes doesn't have to be difficult when you can fall back on the list to create alternatives that your child will like.

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