Type 1 diabetes in children
Healthy eating and exercise are critical components in helping parents and children function to their best potential–but they are especially important when parents have a child with diabetes.
Parents have an opportunity to provide healthy food choices as they grow, while helping them develop good habits early. One thing to remember is making healthy choices is not only right for a type 1 diabetic child, but it is great for the whole family.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a common chronic disease in children under 19 years of age. Adults can get type 1 diabetes as well, but it is more common for adults to get type 2 diabetes. This autoimmune disease occurs when the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas stops the production of insulin, a hormone that carefully regulates the amount of sugar or glucose in the bloodstream. Without insulin, the body is unable to use sugar from food to supply energy to the cells in the body. Symptoms include frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, feeling very thirsty, and feeling very hungry.
Is there a specific meal plan to follow for a child with type 1 diabetes?
There is not one meal plan or diet for children with diabetes, but there are general guidelines. Type 1 diabetes requires frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels to balance food intake with insulin and physical-activity levels throughout the day. Parents and children must keep track of carbohydrate intake and adjust insulin to keep blood glucose levels stable because foods that are higher in carbohydrates raise blood sugar quicker than other foods. Children with type 1 diabetes should include lots of non-starchy vegetables, minimize added sugars and refined grains, and choose whole, minimally processed foods.
Keeping blood glucose regulated is the key to self-management. Blood sugar monitoring must be done by pricking fingers multiple times a day or by wearing a continuous glucose monitor. Parents should develop close relationships with their health care team and involve their child in the management of their disease at an early age. The healthcare team, including endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators, can help children who are experiencing fluctuations in high and low blood glucose modify meal plans to help improve blood glucose control.
Is it safe for children with diabetes type 1 to exercise or participate in sports?
Yes, children with diabetes who get more exercise have a better quality of life. Physical activity recommendations are the same for children with diabetes and those without diabetes. Children should be active 60 minutes per day and participate in muscle and bone-strengthening exercise 3 or more days each week.
Making healthy food choices and staying active can help children with type 1 diabetes manage their blood glucose levels with assistance from their healthcare teams.
Published on April 30, 2020
References:
American Diabetes Association. 2020. Diabetes Superfoods. Accessed 01 31, 2020. https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition/healthy-food-choices-made-easy/diabetes-superfoods.
American Diabetes Association. 2019. "Lifestyle Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes- 2019." Diabetes Care S46-S60. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/diacare/42/Supplement_1/S46.full.pdf.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 2017. Type 1 Diabetes Facts. Accessed 01 31, 2020. https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/facts/.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Type 1 Diabetes Treatments. 2019. Accessed 01 31, 2020. https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/treatment/.
Levitsky, LL, and M Misra. 2019. Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. 06 27. Accessed 01 31, 2020. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-presentation-and-diagnosis-of-type-1-diabetes-mellitus-in-children-and-adolescents?search=type%201%20diabetes%20in%20children&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1.