Meal Planning for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes

11.05.2024 | 5 min read

More than 300,000 children or about 30 out of every 10,000 in the United States have Type 1 diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to produce little to no insulin, and it has no cure. Type 1 diabetes can onset during adulthood, but most commonly presents during youth.

Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes supplying insulin to make up for the lack of insulin produced and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, which makes diet and lifestyle choices important. Parents and caregivers of children with Type 1 diabetes play a significant role in healthy food choices and meal planning to help keep blood sugar in a healthy range, with guidance from the child’s doctor and dietitian.

Nutritional guidelines for kids with Type 1 diabetes

Kids with Type 1 diabetes have the same dietary needs as other children. Aim for a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats when meal planning. It’s also important to understand how different foods may affect blood sugar to keep it in a healthy range.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates should make up 45-50% of the daily energy intake. Type 1 diabetes, with a larger focus on complex carbohydrates. It’s a good idea to keep simple carbohydrates under 10% of the daily energy intake. Carbohydrates break down into glucose as they are digested, and simple carbohydrates break down quickly then enter the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels rapidly. These foods should generally be consumed in moderation but are often used to treat low blood sugar. Examples of foods with refined sugars and simple carbohydrates:

sodas, sports drinks and fruit juices
candies and sweets
ice cream and sweetened yogurts
cakes, cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts and pies
toaster pastries
sweetened cereals and flavored oatmeal
snack crackers and chips

Good complex carbohydrates to include are fruits because they include fiber which break down more steadily and raise blood sugar levels more gradually. Make sure to keep the peel on fruits like apples, pears and peaches to maximize the fiber benefits. Here are healthy fruits to include in meals and snacks:

berries
apples
grapes
pears
oranges
melons

Avoid excess servings of refined grains like white breads, white rice and refined pastas, and encourage healthier complex carbohydrates like those found in:

potatoes and sweet potatoes
peas and corn
whole grains
legumes

Proteins

Proteins should make up 15-20% of the daily energy intake and are vital for children’s growth and development. Meat, fish, cheese, eggs and legumes are good sources of protein. This macronutrient has a minimal effect on blood sugar and lessens the effect of carbohydrates when consumed together. Good protein sources to include:

chicken and turkey
fat-trimmed beef and pork cuts
fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and tuna
shellfish like shrimp
reduced-fat cheeses and low-fat cottage cheese
eggs
pinto, kidney and black beans
hummus and falafel
lentils, peas and edamame
tempeh and tofu
unsweetened almond, cashew or peanut butter

Fats

Include healthy amounts of fat to round out a nutritious diet. Fat has a minimal impact on blood sugar and like protein, lessens the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar when combined in a meal. Fats should account for 30-35% of daily energy intake.

Healthy sources of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats include:

avocados and olives and their oils
unsweetened peanut butter
nuts like almonds, pecans, peanuts, walnuts and cashews
fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, trout and sardines
flaxseeds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds

Fatty foods eat in moderation:

high-fat meats like pork, bacon, regular ground beef, sausage and bologna
high-fat dairy products like butter, whole milk, high-fat cheeses and cream sauces
gravy made with meat drippings
poultry skin
lard
palm and coconut oils

Meal planning tips for kids with Type 1 diabetes

When meal planning for kids with Type 1 diabetes, communicate with their health care team to determine a meal schedule. A good rule of thumb is to include three meals and a couple of snacks a day. It is important to not skip meals to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. Here are some examples of meals and snacks:

Breakfast examples:

An egg sandwich with low-fat cheese on a whole wheat roll or English muffin with a side of fruit and low-fat milk to drink.
Whole grain toast with unsweetened peanut butter or avocado with egg slices, with a side of fruit and low-fat milk to drink.

Lunch examples:

A turkey wrap with a wholegrain wrap and mustard, with carrots or broccoli and low-fat milk or water to drink.
An unsweetened peanut butter or almond butter sandwich on whole grain bread, grapes or berries and low-fat milk or water to drink.

Snack examples:

Whole-wheat crackers and low-fat string cheese.
Sliced vegetables with a tablespoon of Greek yogurt ranch or hummus.
Ants-on-a-log with celery, unsweetened peanut butter and raisins.
½ cup of low-fat cottage cheese with cubed melon or orange slices.

Dinner examples:

Chicken breast with whole wheat pasta, broccoli or peas and low-fat milk or water to drink.
Salmon with brown rice, asparagus or green beans and a salad with walnuts and apple slices and water or low-fat milk to drink.

Make sure to always involve your child’s physician and dietitian when making dietary decisions. Dietary needs vary based on the child’s age, weight, height and individual dietary restrictions.