Recipes

[Kamidust]

A friends 6 yo was just diagnosed. When they get home from the hospital, I would like to take her some prepared meals since she will have a lot to deal with. Five children and hungry husband also.

What are some meals I can make that will appeal to the entire family and be easy to carb count and DM friendly.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Poodlepet2]

Juvenile Diabetes is a completely different animal than Adult Onset Diabetes. Child diabetics can eat carbs-even candy when it's warranted....and of course, healthy cooking is the word of the day ( whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, lower fat products-not neccesarily skim-lean meats). The biggest problem is that parents have to give insulin according to how the child's blood sugars are running and carbs consumed.

Happily there are great solutions out there: scout out Weight Watcher's recipes because the Diabetic Exchanges are there. There are also some great magazines with great recipes that target the Diabetic population and it may be hard to believe, but they use real sugar too!

That being said, you've got a ton of options out there: find a recipe that appeals to you that you think you and your family would enjoy....and make it for this family. By all means, include the recipe, it's source, the serving size and any diabetic information included-exchanges, amount of carbs, protein, fat, fiber etc.

The American Diabetes Association has a great web-site with a lot of great recipes. Diabetic cooking can truly be exciting-and no question, it's healthy, and something the whole family can enjoy, but having a child with diabetes is a challenge and frightening. There are some children out there who have a tough time controlling blood sugars even though their parents do everything by the book: they are called "brittle" Diabetics and hopefully, this child will not be one of them. Best of luck to them, and you are a kind, thoughtful person.

Poodlepet

[Deadeye Daisy]

No difference cooking for a T1 diabetic than healthy cooking for anyone else.

Balance protein, fat and carbs. More whole grains, less white items. Quinoa instead of pasta. Sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. Kids LOVE French fried sweet potatoes. Make beans from dried beans instead of using canned ones with all the added sugars.

No artificial sweeteners or added sugar. Shop the perimeter of the grocrey store and avoid most of the processed foods as they have added sugars of various types AND sodium. Until child is older, parents have to monitor child's 'secret' intake. All children WILL try to sneak forbidden foods.

Things like catsup and pasta sauce have added sugars; stick to fresh or frozen fruit without added sugar. Fresh or frozen vegetables.

You didn't mention what type of insulin child is on, and how administered. Glucose testing and timing of insulin injections with meals and snacks is critical for younger children.

Our diabetic education classes are geared for T1 and T2 diabetic children AND their parents. We do encourage BOTH parents to attend as well as the child. If you have medical insurance, classes are covered WITH NO CO-PAY.

Classes are made to be both fun and educational for the child, while letting them know that they are NOT outcasts to society. (Trust me, many school health care bodies make them feel that way; would like to hit some over the head with a baseball bat). Parents are usually more of a problem than the child. The kids aren't at all squeamish about playing vampire numerous times a day. (We tell 'em it's practice for a possible role in the next Twilight movie).

[Poodlepet2]

I appreciate Deadeye's comments, but to the OP, you need not concern yourself with what types of insulin the child is on-they are in a learning phase. It is not for any of us to decide what this child eats or how much. This child was admitted to a hospital and will in all probability, be followed by a pediatric endocrinologist, developmental pediatrician and a registered dietician (RD) .

....you are trying to be a helpful friend, and I think that's all you need to do.

Poodlepet

[KringleB]

May I just say how lucky your friend is to have you for a friend!!

[lovesrecess]

If you want to help, I would give your friend a gift card to a good grocery store nearby; she will be shopping differently and this would be very welcome I think. The parents do have a learning curve ahead for a while....they will figure it out soon....I also know any diabetes camp available for her child's age group would be a big help to her daughter so please encourage her.

[betteb]

Here are some websites I found

http://spoonful.com/recipes/disneys-type-1-diabetes-recipe-index

http://spoonful.com/recipes/disneys-type-1-diabetes-recipe-index

http://diabeticgourmet.com/Healthy_Living/Juvenile_Diabetes/

http://diabeticgourmet.com/Healthy_Living/Juvenile_Diabetes/

[sidsmom]

I agree with some of the posters....Type 1 Juvenile is a different animal. If I was the mother, I would be extremely cautious with the dietary meals given to my child. Even the most careful cook might throw some in w/out thinking. If I were you, I would offer her a SERVICE instead of meals. Grocery shop for her. Pick up her cleaning. Help her with chores around the house. Just that could help her manage her time better @ the beginning.

[bells4me]

I have a relative by marriage that was diagnosed as Type 1 when he was two years old. They couldn't wake him one morning & called 911. When stable & released they met with a specialist & received books of information & coaching. I worked in a school office for years with diabetic children. It's very scary. I would not cook for him and the the poster that suggested a gift certificate to the grocery store is a good idea.

[Tique]

On 3/23/2014 KringleB said:

May I just say how lucky your friend is to have you for a friend!!

I second that. My son was diagnosed a few months after his 16th birthday. Although all of the above-mentioned info is good; as Poodlepet stated, it's not something that you need to know; however, you could make a copy of this information and start a Reference Guide for your friend. That would be something that she could continuously add to and it would always be a reminder of you and what a good friend you are.