As per the experts, the required nutritional needs for a child with diabetes are the same as for a kid without this disease. However, the only difference lies in keeping the levels of blood sugar within the normal range. And healthy meal planning and eating healthy food can help you to control sugar levels in kids.
Here you will get to know about some healthy foods that you should start offering to your children if they have diabetes.
Unhealthy or Junk Foods- A Major Reason Behind Diabetes in Kids
Junk and unhealthy foods are everywhere and can also be found near schools. Such foods come with higher levels of calories and have very low nutritional value. On the other hand, these foods may include prepared or processed snack food. When your kids consume such foods, their bodies will begin accumulating fats and excess sugar.
This leads to weight gain, and excess weight is a major reason behind diabetes. Unhealthy foods have higher levels of trans fats and saturated fats and also contain added sugar. As a result, they digest quickly and increase blood sugar levels.
So, by avoiding such foods and following some healthy options like Instant Noodles and more, you can keep your blood sugar level under control. If you are looking for healthy food options, here are some options to try.
Instant Noodles
You might be wondering how instant noodles can help your children with diabetes? Well, when you are using plant-based Instant Noodles, you can make it possible. These noodles are made utilizing air-frying technology and high-quality ingredients. These are much better than ramen noodles.
Every bowl of Instant Noodles will offer around 17g of protein. On the other hand, these healthy noodles are around 56 percent lower in fat. There are no artificial flavors or colors used in the noodles. You can go for different options like Moringa Noodles, BamNut Noodles, Pumpkin, and Charcoal Noodles.
Dairy Products
Different dairy products, like milk, yogurt, and cheese, come packed with different nutrients that your kid needs, such as protein, potassium, calcium, and more. Some dairy products are also properly fortified with vitamins. Based on the type of product, like low-fat, full-fat, and nonfat dairy products, carbohydrates levels will vary.
So, while buying, carefully read the label. Yogurt can be a healthy snack option, and you can even add their favorite fruits to lower the added sugar level. As per the health care experts, nonfat or low-fat dairy products can be a part of a healthy eating plan for kids with diabetes.
Also Read: How to make Healthy summer drinks for kids?
Fruits
Different fruits should be added to the regular diet of a kid with diabetes. As per some studies, fruits like apple, peach, or clementine orange have around 15g of carbohydrate.
On the other hand, a cup of raspberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon can also offer the same amount of carbohydrates. Furthermore, dried fruits, like tart cherries, raisins, or dried cranberries, are some good sources of carbs.
Adding different fruits to oatmeal, smoothies, or yogurt and then cutting them into some unique shapes can help you if your kids resist consuming fruit.
Give More Focus On Vegetables
Due to your kid’s picky eating habits, they don’t get enough vegetables. However, you can cut broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers, cauliflower, and celery into small pieces, and they can be a healthy snack option. Besides, you can pair vegetables with some kid-friendly dips, like salsa, guacamole, and hummus. However, you should avoid offering starchy vegetables as they have higher levels of carbohydrates. For example, peas, corn, potatoes, butternut squash, and more.
What About Proteins?
As meats lack carbohydrates, they may not increase blood sugar. To keep control over the saturated fat intake level, you can go for lean chicken, pork, fish, beef, and turkey. If your kids don’t have an allergic issue, you can offer them nut butter or nuts. Tofu can also be a good source of protein for kids suffering from diabetes.
Grains
Different studies have proved that grains can offer carbs and fiber. For example, whole grains should make up half of the total grain intake per day as they have a high level of fiber. Whole-grain bread, quinoa, oatmeal, pasta, popcorn, etc., are some of the good options for your kids.
You can combine quinoa with your kids’ favorite food, like fish or chicken, which can increase their daily whole-grain intake requirements. A study informed that when the intake of whole grains increases, overall diet quality also increases in adults as well as children.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that healthy meal planning is a very crucial part of diabetes management in kids. But there is no need for your kids to eat any special foods, or you don’t need to create a restrictive diet plan for them. Just follow the tips mentioned above to get the best results. While offering them healthy foods, make sure they are exercising regularly for more benefits.
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