Diabetes in children: How to plan meals

Controlling your child's diabetes is challenging than controlling an adult's sugar level. 

It's a challenge with kids, Purwa Duggal, Nutrionist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund says, "diet is a basic method of controlling diabetes. By implementing some basic concepts, you and your child can plan meals and avoid unsafe situations." We give you tips on how to plan meals in case of diabetic kids.

- Mealtimes for kids should be healthy and enjoyable.
- Ensure appropriate balance of carbs, proteins and fats.
- Be consistent. Plan meal and snack for same time each day.
- Incorporate carbs with plenty of fiber by opting for whole grains.
- Include more of dark green and deep yellow green leafy vegetables.
- Choose more of whole fruits to juices. Minimal of one serving of citrus (orange, grapefruit etc) per day is the best.
- Meat and poultry used should be trimmed of its visible fat, before use.
- Milk and milk products should be low fat.
- In case of special meals, such as birthday parties, holidays or eating out can be difficult for your child unless he goes prepared. To enable him to enjoy the meal with everyone else, plan ahead.
- Kids when thirsty should be taught to opt for water than for fizzy drinks.
- Learn to choose healthy fats. Reduce or eliminate foods high in saturated and trans fats such as butter, shortening, cream cheese, fried foods and meat. Replace these with healthy fats found invegetable oils, nuts and trans fat-free margarine.
- Sweets need not be an absolute "NO". The calories and carbs contributed may be incorporated as part of the meal plan.
By Sobiya N. Moghul, Health Me Up | Dec 27, 2012, 12.00 AM IST