For those of all ages with or without diabetes it is essential to get the right nutrients to sustain a healthy lifestyle. But for those with juvenile diabetes it is especially important to eat a healthy balanced diet that will keep their blood sugar in check and their energy high.
Eating Healthy
Children with diabetes must balance their carbohydrate intake with their insulin. Carbohydrates that children eat, such as sugars, breads and pasta, will raise their blood sugar. Fatty and other high-calorie foods will also impact their blood sugar by affecting how quickly their body absorbs the nutrients eaten; therefore, it is especially important to limit foods high in fat or calories. It is recommended that any child, with or without diabetes, eat three main meals and two to three snacks per day. It is not as important that your child avoid sweets and other stereotypical "off-limit" foods, but that they get to know and understand how eating certain foods affects their body and insulin levels.
Keeping Active
In addition to a healthy diet, children with diabetes should focus on being active every day. This is important in order to maintain and keep blood sugar levels under control. If your child takes insulin, she may need to reduce her insulin dose when regularly taking part in physical activity because it lowers blood sugar level. Make sure to give your child extra carbohydrates before exercising or playing sports to reduce the risk of lowering her blood sugar level too drastically.
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