Butterflies 4 u

FOOD AND DRINK

Healthy Eating for Children and Teenagers with Diabetes

Children and teenagers with diabetes have the same basic nutritional requirements as other children.

The healthy diet recommended for diabetes is one that can be followed by the whole family.

Aim to have a wide variety of foods to ensure a good intake of vitamins and minerals.

Aim to have regular meals (and snacks if necessary) high in starchy or slow-acting carbohydrate e.g. bread, potato, rice, pasta, cereal, milk, yoghurt. Try to include some that are high in fibre e.g. wholegrain cereals and granary bread, to keep the digestive system healthy.

Replace high sugar foods/drinks with lower sugar/no added sugar alternatives. e.g. 'diet' drinks, fruit in juice. Sugary foods like sweets and chocolates can be eaten, but best kept to small amounts occasionally as part of a meal or before exercise.

Aim to have five portions a day from a mixture of fruit, vegetables and salads. If they are disliked, try to include in alternative ways e.g. in smoothies, vegetable soups and stir-fries.

Go for the 'Rainbow Rule' - five different colours of fruit and vegetables per day.

Most people, including children, have too much fat in their diet, especially saturated fat from fatty meats, pastries and savoury snacks etc. Better types of fats are 'monounsaturated', from olive oil, rapeseed oil and spreads made from these. Children, as they get older, will be encouraged to reduce their intake of saturated fats.

Try not to add salt at the table and cook with just small amounts. Some snack foods e.g. crisps are high in salt, so choose a variety of snacks, including some that are lower in salt.