Diabetes Diet
Diet For Juvenile Diabetics
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.