Diabetes Diet

Juvenile diabetes is also known as Type I insulin-dependent diabetes or childhood diabetes. Though it accounts for only 5 % to 10 % of all cases of diabetes, it is the main type of diabetes found in children. Juvenile diabetes is characterized by persistent high blood sugar, decreased or lack of insulin production, insulin injections and constant monitoring of blood sugar levels. It is caused by an auto-immune response that causes damage to the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Infection, stress, or environmental exposure, along with hereditary history are generally the causes.

Juvenile diabetes can lead to changes in appetite, weight loss as well as changes in vision, rapid deep breathing and the smell of acetone in the breath. Diet plan is an important tool in the management of diabetes. The diet plan for a juvenile diabetes, apart from blood sugar control should relate with the constant growth of a child.

Juvenile diabetes' meal plan can includes a variety of food items. Once you get into the habit of eating less fat and smaller portions of a variety of nutritious foods, you can surely keep juvenile diabetes under control. Apart from restricting foods, you should also aim towards eating a lots of fruits and vegetables. Below are some of the health tips and meal plans for a juvenile diabetic:

1) Vegetables tend to lose their nutrients if you overcook them. So, steam or microwave vegetables instead.

2) You should eat ice cream, butter, and whole milk cheese only occasionally.

3) It is always better to avoid high-fat red meat and more low-fat turkey, fish, and chicken with the skin removed before cooking.

4) Sugar use should be minimized. You can always use artificial sweeteners instead.

5) Restrict salt to the minimum. This is particularly important for people with juvenile diabetes because it can affect the circulatory system.

6) Animal protein should be avoided. Instead, meals high in complex carbohydrates should be taken, which are starches found in breads, cereals, starchy vegetables, legumes, rice, and pastas.

7) A typical juvenile diabetes diet should include whole-grain cereals, breads, and other products such as brown rice, kasha, bulgur, and barley.

The primary goal of any dietary plan for diabetes is to maintain levels of glucose in the blood. Therefore, foods rich in simple sugars, candy, cookies, sugary snacks and non-diet sodas must be avoided. A healthful, varied diet, rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure overall health of a juvenile diabetic.