Juvenile Diabetes Diet

Proper management of type 1 diabetes requires maintaining a healthy diet designed to ensure proper nutrition while monitoring the intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. However, it is essential to understand that there is no single universal type 1 diabetes diet. Proper management of the condition involves being mindful of what and how you eat and how the body responds to certain foods.

Why Should you Follow a Juvenile Diabetes Diet?

Although there’s no universal diet for juvenile diabetes, people with the condition need to monitor their blood glucose levels closely. Without insulin therapy, proper diet, and exercise, a person with juvenile diabetes could experience serious health complications. Some of the common complications associated with unmanaged type juvenile diabetes include:

High blood pressure and increased risk for stroke, poor blood circulation, and heart attack
Skin sores can be infected causing pain and tissue death
Vision problems
Nerve damage
Kidney damage

Following the proper type 1 diabetes dietary guidelines can mitigate the complications associated with the condition and improve the overall quality of life.

Read about the Obesity Epidemic associated with Juvenile Diabetes HERE!

How Can you Prepare for a Juvenile Diabetes Diet?

Although there is no standard diet for juvenile diabetes, a dietitian or nutritionist can help you come up with a diet and create meal plans that work for you even in the long term.

It might seem easy to reach for processed foods and fast foods especially when you’re short on money or time, but it’s essential to keep in mind that these foods are high in salt, sugar, and fat, and they offer minimal nutrients.

Grocery shopping regularly and planning meals ahead can help reduce “emergency eating” which is usually “unhealthy eating”.

Stocking your kitchen well with healthy foodstuffs can also help reduce your intake of unhealthy sugar, sodium, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates that can spike blood glucose.

One of the most important aspects of a healthy juvenile diabetes diet is consistency. You can maintain consistent blood sugar levels by:

Eating around the same time every day
Avoiding skipping meals
Paying keen attention to food labels

Starting a Diabetes Diet

You should work with your doctor to calculate the right dosage of insulin according to your carbs intake. Your healthcare provider will also guide you on the importance of exercise and your recommended activity level.

Choosing nutritious foods high in minerals and vitamins is optimal. It is generally recommended that you choose nutrient-dense carbohydrates, healthy proteins, and fats.

In case you’re having any problems managing juvenile diabetes, work with your dietitian or doctor to help manage your timing of meals and medications. It is also important to discuss the portions of carbohydrates per meal that are appropriate according to your specific condition and needs.

Here are some recommendations:

Carbohydrates

The three main types of carbs are sugar, starches, and fiber, which can come in form of bread, pasta, fruits, beans, or starchy vegetables. Carbohydrates are converted into sugar in the digestive tract before being absorbed into the bloodstream hence raising your blood sugar level.

Therefore, it is important for people with juvenile diabetes to manage their carbohydrate intake. If your blood sugar levels are low, choose fast-acting carbohydrates that will be easily digested and then absorbed into your bloodstream.

Start with 15g of carbohydrates then recheck your blood glucose and have another 15g if the level is still low.

Top 5carb counter apps for diabetes — Use the Carb counter App for Tracking Carbs

Fast-acting carbs (15 grams) include:

4-6 crackers
¼ cup of fresh fruit juice
4 ounces of fresh fruit (1 small fresh fruit)
1 tsp of honey
2 tsps of raisins

Fruits

If you are using a juvenile diabetes diet plan, fruits should be counted as carbs because they’re natural sources of sugar. You can opt for frozen or fresh fruits. However, it is important to keep in mind how many carbs are in specific portions of fruit in order to properly manage your insulin and blood sugar levels.

Examples of fruits that contain carbohydrates (portions that contain 15g of carbohydrates)

3 ounces of fresh/frozen grapes
½ cup of canned fruit
4 ounces of fresh fruit (1 small fresh fruit)
1 cup of melon or grapes
½ cup of fresh fruit juice

Remember, you don’t have to limit your intake to only 15g per snack or meal. However, you should note the number of carbohydrates in specific servings based on your blood glucose management plan and insulin needs.

Vegetables

Sugar, in form of starch, naturally occurs in a wide variety of common vegetables including peas, corn, and potatoes. However, starchy vegetables are higher in carbs compared to other vegetables and should be consumed in moderation and properly accounted for especially when calculating the carbohydrate intake of type 1 diabetes patients.

On the other hand, non-starchy veggies have a lower impact on the blood sugar level and are richer in phytochemicals, fiber, and minerals. Therefore, you can eat up to 3 cups of non-starchy vegetables per meal without having a big effect on your blood sugar levels.

More than 3 cups of non-starchy vegetables can be counted as 15g of carbohydrates and anything less than 3 cups should be considered “free”. Examples of non-starchy vegetables include:

Onions
Beets
Asparagus
Green leafy veggies
Carrots
Sprouts
Peppers
Celery
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Sprouts

Always choose frozen or fresh vegetables without added sauces or salt.

Portions of starchy veggies that contain 15g of carbohydrates include:

½ cup of peas
3 ounces of baked potato
½ cup of squash
½ cup of boiled potatoes or sweet potatoes
½ cup of corn

Whole grains

These are considered fibrous and nutritious starch and it is recommended that about 50% of grains consumed should be whole. Whole-grain bread, bran cereal, and brown rice are great sources of whole grains.

Be mindful of your total intake in a single meal and read labels to ensure your blood sugar is properly regulated with the medication you are using.

Fats and proteins

Healthy fats are important for optimal heart and brain functioning while proteins are very important in repairing wounds and maintaining muscle. Proteins can be found in meat, eggs, and beans. Healthy fats include seeds, nuts, and avocado.

Fats and proteins don’t directly raise blood sugar levels. However, experts recommend that people with juvenile diabetes limit their intake of fatty or processed meats, which are high in sodium and saturated fat.

Although these items do not affect blood sugar directly, consuming them in high quantities can have harmful effects such as heart disease, which is a common complication of type 1 diabetes.

When Should You Eat?

Knowing when and what to eat is extremely important.

It is recommended that juvenile diabetes patients eat smaller meals while progressively snacking throughout the day in order to make their blood sugar easier to manage and monitor while preventing spikes.

A certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian and your doctor can help you calculate the insulin needed to support your carbs intake while avoiding blood sugar lows and highs.

Nuts, vegetables, and fruits travel easily and are particularly great to have on hand especially when you need them.

Physical activity and exercise lower blood sugar. Therefore, it’s important to measure blood sugar levels before and after engaging in any physical activity. This lets you know how much you have to eat in order to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

The bottom-line

Living with juvenile diabetes or type 1 diabetes means you must be more mindful of what you eat and its impact on your body. Your nutritionist, dietitian, and a doctor can help you create a meal plan that works specifically for you.

See more information HERE on Juvenile Diabetes:)

Importance of Exercise for Diabetes

Having diabetes, it is vital we recognize the importance of exercise for diabetics. Daily physical activity is essential, to help manage your blood glucose levels. It will also help to burn off those extra carbs and fat in the blood, from that sneaky dessert you shouldn’t have had last night, or that extra glass of wine with dinner!

Let’s face it, being a diabetic is really tough at times, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. With regular exercise, as well as making you feel great, you’ll build muscle, and overall it will improve how your insulin performs.

Exercise for diabetics using a pedometer.

So to get started, one of the simplist methods to monitor just how active you are in an average day, is to get yourself a step counter – known as a pedometer.

This is just a simple little low cost device that can clip easily onto your belt, or around your waistline. It’s recommended that 10’000 steps per day is a good start. If you find this a little challenging in the beginning, just do what is manageable and increase just a little every day.

Easy ways to increase this, is to make sure you start clocking the steps right from the moment you get out of bed in the mornings, all the steps count. I find that if you’re actually wearing a pedometer, you tend to make sure you increase your activity. Try these few suggestions, I find work for me:

When parking at the shopping centre, don’t just park at the closest car park to the stores you wish to visit. Why not park the furthest away from the entrance door (there are normally more spaces too!)
When doing the school drop offs, I often park a kilometre or two away (depending on how many steps I’ve already done for that day!) It’s great exercise for the kids as well.
Instead of jumping into the car to run up to the corner store, put on your joggers and walk there.
Even small things like getting the mail from the mailbox – don’t stop when you’re driving in the drive in your car, park the car and then walk back out to the mail box. You might have a nice steep driveway like mine, which also gets the heart pumping even more!

You could check out the exercise desk bike: Great exercise while sitting!

Or for those of you who want a little more of a challenge, it’s really not that difficult to increase that recommended 10’000 steps, to 15’000 a day.

If you are someone who takes public transport to work, get off the train or bus a little early and walk the rest of the way.
Take the stairs in your building instead of the escalator or lift.
Go for a walk through the park at lunchtime instead of sitting and flicking through that magazine. Believe me, you’ll feel better for it!

Exercise for diabetics – a few safety thoughts!

You know that feeling you get when starting out on a new fitness program, you feel alive – you’ve got a fresh injection of endorphins running through your veins! Well it’s important to make sure you don’t overdo it to start and get a thorough check up with your doctor first.

– I repeat, don’t overdo it, start out slowly and gradually build up doing a little more every day.

Make sure you wear comfortable clothing, especially correctly fitting shoes is essential.
Make sure you keep well hydrated, drinking ample amounts of water
Try and exercise in the cooler parts of the days, either early in the mornings or after work to prevent dehydration
Make sure you check your blood glucose levels both before and after you exercise.
If at any time you get short of breath or experience and chest pain or dizziness at all, make certain that you visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Exercise for diabetics is a great start, to living a better life and keeping those blood glucose levels under control.

Top 5 Best Diabetic Carb Counter Apps

How can using a Carb Counter App for Diabetes Help Me?

For people living with diabetes, prioritizing their health is of utmost importance. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with underlying health conditions including diabetes have a greater risk of complications from Corona Virus (COVID-19).

Studies show that using diabetes apps can greatly improve health for people living with diabetes. For instance, a review published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism journal in March 2020 found that using a diabetes app leads to a drop in average blood sugar levels or hemoglobin A1C of 0.57%.

Furthermore, a study published in Obesity in January 2020 reveals that apps for managing diabetes can help type 2 diabetes patients reduce their waist circumference and body weight.

Here are the top 5 smartly designed diabetic carb counter apps to consider using if you have diabetes.

Fooducate

Fooducate is an easy-to-use nutrition-focused app that helps you make health-conscious decisions. It empowers you to scan UPC codes for quality and dietary information about the foods you are eating.

The tracking app uses an in-built database of scannable barcodes allowing you to keep count of your macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) intake. Fooducate also helps you make healthy choices by accessing a food’s nutrition quality using its assigned letter grade (A, B, C, or D).

The app then provides you with clear explanations, good alternative recommendations, and tips from community support and nutrition professionals so you can continue making smart decisions to help you achieve your nutritional goals for optimal blood glucose management.

You can also use the app to input exercise, access your daily intake, calculate your net calories, and keep track of your progress over a set period of time. Its biggest strength is in its in-built functionality and increasing health awareness.

Fooducate is free for Android and iPhone but its built-in functionality for calculating and scanning feature can be upgraded for a cost.

Glucose Buddy

Glucose Buddy is a data storage utility that allows users to track their carbohydrate consumption, glucose numbers, insulin dosage, and activities. The app syncs with monitoring systems such as Dexcom G5 and G6 and it helps you build a detailed record of your overall health while keeping count of your food intake and exercise.

Glucose Buddy also offers push notifications as a reminder of when to check your blood glucose next. The app also features a chat display that helps you track patterns to gain a better understanding of your blood glucose trends and create printable reports that you can bring to your physician’s appointment.

Glucose buddy standard version is free for both Android and iPhone, but the premium version offers a monthly or annual subscription service for a customizable and ad-free experience, including community support, enhanced filters, an A1C calculator and desktop login.

Keto Diet App Carb Manager

Keto Diet App focuses on keeping track of carbs, as well as calories, fats, and protein, with a bar-code scanner and database of foods. The app also allows you to log your meals with voice memos and photos. You can also use it to log exercises and set and track your weight loss goals. However, syncing with a fitness tracker requires an upgrade to the annual or monthly subscription service at a fee.

Keto diet app also includes features for users following the ketogenic diet or a low-carbohydrate diet. However, it’s essential to note that these diets are not appropriate for everyone. Therefore, you should be careful about taking advice from an app and always check with your dietitian, certified diabetes care specialist, or doctor.

The free version of the app offers a macro tracker, exercise tracker, calorie counter, food diary, and weight log (charts both body mass index and weight loss), but upgrading to the subscription service allows users to also track insulin and blood glucose values. The app is available for both Android and iPhone.

Figwee Visual Food Diary

Research shows that most people, including people with diabetes, don’t know what standard food portions look like. Therefore, unless they log their meals, they are probably logging inaccurate food portion sizes.

Figwee Visual Food Diary allows you to view photographs of incremental food portion sizes to ensure that the information you’re logging is accurate.

You simply need to pick a photo that matches the food you ate, adjust the slider to match the portion that you ate before, and then add it to your food diary.

The app also provides nutritional info (cholesterol, carbs, calories, fat, etc.) for the portion size you ate. One of the key strengths of Figwee is that it allows you to visualize what a portion actually looks like.

The app is available for both Android and iPhone but you can upgrade to the premium version for additional features including an activity tracker, zero ads, desktop integration, and custom food builder.

mySugr

mySugr features an aesthetically appealing and easy-to-use interface and is equipped with handy features including a 3-month overview of your glucose levels for accurate tracking of your A1C. It also allows you to input and tracks your meals, carb intake, and meds. The app can be synchronized with the Apple Health app to allow the collection of step data points and physical activity.

The pro subscription allows you to set reminders to log blood sugar levels, calculate insulin doses, as well as meal shots. You can also download reports and send them directly to your diabetes educators or doctors.

Conclusion

As you explore diabetic carb-counting apps, it’s important to keep in mind that your main goal is to find an app that will be a good fit for you and make your life easier. Find apps that give you useful information, are easy to use, and sync seamlessly with your devices.

Although diabetes apps are valuable tools, they should not replace individualized medical care and advice. It’s recommended that you walk through your diabetic apps with your doctor to be sure they are a suitable tool for you.

Learn more about the DARIO glucose Meter – turn your smart phone into a glucose meter HERE!

Gift Baskets for Diabetics

Some Gift basket ideas for your diabetic family members or friends.

Gifts are an essential element of our social lives that help us express our gratitude and love to others. Regardless of the occasion, food gift ideas always abound.

Gift hampers and baskets available online can be great gifts that leave lasting impressions. However, gifting people with diabetes can be tricky mainly because conventional food gifts are typically doused with carbohydrates and sugars that can be detrimental to their health.

Sugar-free items such as nuts, fruits, and dry fruits are excellent options. Let’s explore some of the best sugar-free gift baskets for diabetics.

Nuts

Nuts can be a delight for people with diabetes as they are not only low in carbs but also rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Numerous studies have shown that nuts have a positive impact on the health of all people. For instance, research shows that almonds can help with weight loss, lowering the risk for heart disease and normalizing glucose levels for type 2 diabetes patients.

Although nuts are extremely health-worthy, they are also high in calories and fat. Therefore, portion sizes should be taken into consideration when incorporating them into any diet, even for people who don’t have diabetes and other chronic diseases.

One serving is one small handful or 1/4 of a cup and you can add a nice touch to the gift basket by using decorative bags to portion them into single-serving sizes. Always go for unsalted nuts as these are considered the healthier choice for anyone.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a whole grain low in carbs and rich in fiber. A three-cup serving contains about 18 grams of carbohydrates.

The best bet for diabetic-friendly gift baskets is air-popped popcorn that is flavored with herbs and/or olive oil. Some stores offer brands that are divided into single servings and attractively packed in decorative bags or festive bowls. Avoid sweetened popcorn such as kettle corn as they contain sugar and/or other sweeteners.

Tea and coffee-themed diabetic gift basket.

Both coffee and tea are available in a wide range of varieties from various parts of the world. So it is relatively easy to create a tea and/or coffee-themed diabetes-friendly gift basket with fascinating varieties of whole beans, tea bags, loose teas, and beverage brewing gear such as strainers, mugs, and cups.

The products you include in the tea or coffee-themed gift basket will be a matter of your or your recipients’ taste. Be sure to avoid tea or coffee products that contain sugar.

However, some studies show that for some diabetics consuming caffeine can result in lower or higher blood sugar levels. Therefore, be sure to confirm whether your recipient tolerates caffeine before going with a tea or coffee-themed gift basket.

Dark chocolate Treats for Diabetics

Delicious dark chocolate bars especially artisanal or organic ones make great additions to sugar-free gift baskets.

Research shows that dark chocolate contains cacao in small amounts which have a beneficial effect on various health concerns in diabetes including insulin resistance, blood pressure, and platelet and vascular functions.

Go for tasty dark chocolate that is labeled at least 75% cacao with no added sugars. Be sure to check the number of carbs in the chocolate bar as it’s generally recommended that diabetics get about 45% of calories from carbohydrates.

Peanut butter

Just like dark chocolate, most people like peanut butter. They are rich in protein and fatty acids that help maintain healthy blood glucose levels in the body. There is a wide variety of vegan-friendly, gluten-free and non-GMO peanut brands available on the market.

Go for brands with no added preservatives or sugars. Some brands come in attractive packaging that can blend very well with other items in the gift basket.

Fruit

Fancy fruit can be a healthy and colorful addition to any Diabetes-friendly gift basket.

Although fruit contains fructose (natural sugar), most diabetics can and should include a wide variety of fruit in their diet, given that fruit is rich in important nutrients and fiber and so is recommended by the ADA (American Diabetes Association) as an essential part of a healthful diabetes meal plan.

Use two criteria when choosing fruit:

Fruits that rank low on the glycemic index (potential to raise the blood sugar level) as well as low in sugar.
Hearty fruits that travel well

Some of the best bets are apples, pears, nectarines, apricots, peaches, and citrus fruits such as oranges. A mix of shapes, colors, and unusual varieties can easily create a special sugar-free basket for diabetics.

Although a wide variety of fruits and berries have considerably low amounts of sugar, some are too delicate in gift baskets unless you’re sure your target recipient will unpack and use them right away. Leave out dried fruits and tropical fruits such as fresh figs, bananas, mangoes, pineapple and pomegranates as they are high in sugar.

Sugar-free biscuits and cookies

Biscuits and cookies are some of the most popular, welcoming treats available. You can throw in a few sugar-free fiber cookies to serve as delicious additions to your gift hamper. Choose cookies and/or biscuits that are high in fiber and avoid cookies that contain cholesterol or trans fats.

Sugar-free drinks

Be sure to add some sugar-free drinks to help balance out your gift basket. You can try to understand the types of drinks they like and dislike in order to find appropriate variants.

For instance, you can opt for flavored sparkling water variants that come with zero carbs and sugars and contain no artificial flavors or colorings.

The bottom-line

There are numerous pre-packaged sugar-free gift baskets for diabetics available on the market. These gift baskets are professionally built to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for your target diabetic recipient.

If you find these gifts appealing, as I do, you can indulge in some ‘self-love’ and gift one for yourself.

On the other hand, you can use some of the items listed in this article to create a fully customized sugar-free gift basket yourself. Be sure to look for a strong, unique basket to arrange your gifts in. This way, you’ll deliver a unique and truly memorable sugar-free gift basket.

Best Treatment for Low Blood Sugar?

Maintaining your blood glucose levels within the target range can help delay or prevent serious health complications. Although this is very important, close management of blood glucose levels can also increase your risk for hypoglycemia.

Levels below 70 mg/dL are considered low. In case you suspect your blood sugar level is low, be sure to check it and treat it.

If left unresolved, low blood glucose can be very dangerous. Therefore, it’s important for people with diabetes as well as their caregivers to know how to treat it quickly and properly.

You are at a higher risk of having low blood sugar reactions if you:

Delay or skip a snack or meal
Exercise
Consume alcohol without eating carbs
Eat too few carbs or administer too much insulin

Check your blood sugar level if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Sweating
Fatigue and/or weakness
Anxiety
Headache
Increased heartbeat
Shaking
Dizziness

Follow the 15-15 rule

If your blood sugar level is between 55 and 69 mg/dL, you can raise it using the 15-15 rule.

Have 15 grams of carbohydrates and check it after 15 minutes.

If your blood sugar is still not within your target range, repeat this procedure until it’s within the target range. After raising it to your target level, eat a snack or nutritious meal to prevent it from getting too low again.

Items that have 15 grams of carbohydrates include:

½ cup (4 ounces) of regular soda or juice (apple, orange, pineapple, grape, prune, or cranberry juice).
1 tsp of syrup, honey, or sugar.
Gumdrops, jellybeans, hard candies (check the food label for the amount you should eat).
1 dose (1 tube) of glucose gel (follow instructions).
3-4 glucose tablets.
12 gummy bears
6 large jelly beans
15 skittles
4 starburst
5 small gumdrops
1 tube glucose gel
3-4 glucose tablets
5 lifesavers
1 tsp sugar in water
1 cup fat-free milk
1 small orange
15 grapes
1 small apple
½ banana
½ cup applesauce
2 tsp of raisins

Note: The foods listed above are easily absorbed and will raise blood sugar levels quickly. Foods that contain protein or fat – such as chocolate, candy bars, ice cream, cookies, crackers, and bread – don’t raise blood sugar quickly enough.

Tips you should keep in mind

Young kids usually require less than 15 grams of carbohydrates, especially toddlers and infants. Your doctor can provide guidance on how much carbs your child needs.
Avoid eating carbs rich in fiber, such as lentils or beans, or carbs that have fat. Fat and fiber slow down the absorption of sugar.
Raising your blood sugar takes time. Allow some time for the 15-15 treatment to work.
When the risk of lows is high, check your blood sugar more often. The risk of lows is higher when you travel or when the weather is hotter.

How do you treat severely low blood sugar?

If your blood sugar is below 55 mg/dL, it is considered too low and you may be unable to regulate it using the 15-15 rule. In fact, checking your blood sugar or treating it by yourself might be impossible, depending on the symptoms.

Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your caregivers, friends, and family know the signs of severely low blood sugar so they can help with treatment if needed.

One of the best ways of treating severely low blood sugar is using glucagon. However, a glucagon kit requires a prescription. Consult your healthcare provider to see if you need a kit and learn when and how to use it. Inform those close to you (friends and family members) where you keep the kit and train them on how to use it.

Contact your healthcare provider for emergency treatment after administering a glucagon injection. In case the person passes out (faints) due to extremely low blood sugar, they typically wake up 10-15 minutes after the injection. Administer one more dose if they don’t wake up 15 minutes after the glucagon injection.

Once they wake up and are able to swallow:

Feed them fast-acting sources of sugar (fruit juice or regular soft drink).
Have them eat long-acting sources of sugar (a sandwich with meat, cheese, and crackers).

It is important that people you are around often (family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and coaches) know how to test blood sugar and treat low blood sugar as well as severely low blood sugar. Medical IDs such as necklaces and bracelets can be critical in keeping diabetes patients healthy and safe. Emergency medical responders are usually trained to look for medical IDs when caring for people who are unable to speak for themselves.

When should you call 911?

Your helper, relative, or friend should call 911 if:

You’ve passed out and a glucagon kit is not available.
You had a glucagon injection but are still feeling confused.
You’ve had the first dose of glucagon but have not woken up after 15 minutes
Your blood sugar is still low 15-20 minutes after administering treatment or does not respond to the usual treatment

After treating low blood sugar

If you had mild low blood sugar (55-69 mg/dL), you can resume your normal activities after successful treatment. Be sure to confirm whether your blood sugar is in your target range.

Early signs of low blood sugar may go unnoticed for 48 to 72 hours. Check your blood sugar level more often to ensure it’s within your target range, especially before physical activity, driving a car, or eating.

If you administered glucagon injection to treat severe low blood sugar (below 54 mg/dL), call your doctor immediately for emergency treatment. Moreover, if you have had several lows close together (whether severe or not), be sure to notify your doctor. They may recommend changing your diabetes treatment plan.

Keep an accurate record of your numbers

If low blood sugars continue to occur, be sure to share your insulin, blood sugar, food, and physical activity logs with your healthcare provider.

They will look for patterns and may be able to prevent lows by changing the amount and timing of your meals, physical activity, and insulin.