Is there such thing as a Type 1 diabetes diet? A practical guide for feeding your kids

There really is no “diabetes diet” any longer. With modern, fast-acting insulins and a focus on management, not restriction, things have changed—for the better. And while managing meals for a child with Type 1 diabetes might seem overwhelming at first, with the right approach, it can become a natural part of your family's routine.

If your child was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or you find yourself struggling with mealtimes, these tips can help you and your child approach meals with confidence.

Here are some practical ways to make meal planning work for your family while keeping your child healthy, happy and able to enjoy the food on their plate.

Start planning meals with your child

For many, the basic idea of having to plan meals differently than what you might be used to feels like a burden. It doesn’t have to be. In a nutshell, feeding children with Type 1 diabetes should focus on routine times to eat, offering a variety of good-tasting nutritious foods, and the art and science of matching food and insulin to manage blood sugar levels.

What was once seen as a Type 1 diabetes diet is now seen as a collaborative meal planning exercise between parent and child. Rather than restricting foods entirely, the focus should be on these four things:

1. Offering a variety of food
2. Knowing how many carbs are in the food offered
3. Having regular meals and snacks
4. Learning how different foods affect blood sugar levels

Most importantly, the plan should support normal growth and development while fostering a healthy relationship with food.

Approach food with a positive mindset

According to Erin Scallorn, MS, RD/LD, CDCES, an outpatient dietitian at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Specialty Clinic – Temple, it’s essential to build a strong foundation with food. With an open and non-judgmental curiosity, start exploring how different foods and different food combinations impact your child’s blood sugar.

But remember, food is about much more than their blood sugar levels. Enjoyment, family preferences and nourishment should always be a big part of the decision making too.

"Blood sugar levels aren't personal, and foods have no moral value," Erin said. "No food is inherently 'better' or 'worse.' Foods are simply different, which is why variety in your diet is so important."

"There is no place for guilt in diabetes," said Stephen Ponder, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Specialty Clinic – Temple. "Management is about choices, and our goal is for children to have a normal life—however they define normal."

The key to successful meal planning isn't about restricting food—it's about creating a balanced approach that works for your family. Both experts emphasize that no foods are off-limits for children with Type 1 diabetes.

Establish regular family mealtimes

Creating successful meals for children with Type 1 diabetes starts with establishing regular eating routines. Toddlers and preschool children typically benefit from eating every 2-3 hours, while school-age children can go for 3-4 hours.

According to Erin, family meals are the "classroom" where we learn what and how to eat and the importance of eating regularly. It’s especially helpful to do this as a family whenever schedules allow.

“Adult modeling has a greater impact on children's eating patterns than anything that is told to them; it can also help improve the nutritional status of the adults in the home,” Erin said.

Establish an eating routine for breakfast and dinner that includes at least one adult eating with the child.

If you’re short on time or mealtimes are hectic for your family, create a list of easy, go-to meals that work for your family and keep them on rotation. It can also help to have a few backup meal options available in your pantry or freezer.

Get confident with your child’s diabetes management plan

Every family is different and, depending on the resources or available time a parent has, making any sort of meal plan, not to mention one that is diabetes-friendly, can often be daunting and stressful. Everything starts with skill building.

If you don’t feel confident in how feeding your child with Type 1 diabetes is going, ask your child’s endocrinologist or care team for support. It’s important to make sure you can navigate your child’s insulin therapy options, monitor their blood sugar and confidently make decisions for their day-to-day care.

From this understanding and skill-building, meal planning becomes a much more intuitive practice.

Plan school lunches in advance

If your child attends school, work with your child's school schedule to ensure regular meal and snack times. Consider whether your child will eat school lunch or bring food from home. If food is brought from home, provide the carbohydrate counts to make sure insulin is administered properly.

School meals can often have higher amounts of carbohydrates, as they are federally mandated to provide dairy, whole grains, protein, fruit and vegetables—and studies find they often offer more nutrition than a lunch packed from home.

Most schools and school districts post the weekly menu ahead of time, so you and your child can see what days they would like to eat at school or when they would like to pack a lunch from home.

Schedule snacks thoughtfully

"Planned snacks midway between meals are essential," Erin said.

When building a snack, be sure to include protein, fat and carbohydrates like apple with peanut butter or cheese and crackers. It’s also okay to offer cookies and milk for variety.

It’s important to understand the difference between a snack and treating low blood sugar. A snack happens at a planned time and should be balanced with protein, fat and carbs, whereas low blood sugar doesn't happen at a planned time and requires a quick source of carbs.

“When treating low blood sugar, it’s recommended to consume a quick-acting source of carbohydrates (a food with no fiber, fat or protein) to raise blood sugar as quickly as possible,” Erin said.

Use technology to help track blood sugar trends

Technology is essential for those living with Type 1 diabetes and can be a game changer for parents. Common technologies used for children with diabetes include a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump.

"We recommend using a CGM from the outset," Dr. Ponder said. He has even written a book called Sugar Surfing on how to understand and use the data from a CGM device.

These devices can help maintain stable blood sugar levels around mealtimes. They can also provide data to help you make better decisions and learn from what did or didn’t work, so you can adjust how you approach a certain food in the future.

Approach special occasions with flexibility

When it comes to occasions outside the normal daily routine, you might find yourself a little more stressed. But events such as birthday parties and holidays don't have to cause anxiety. Using a continuous glucose monitor can help you track blood sugar levels during special events without restricting your child from enjoying the festivities.

“It’s important to help children feel relaxed around all foods, including those high in sugar," Erin said.

Tips for success include:

• Eat regularly before the event
• Learn about food options in advance when possible
• Use apps to help estimate carb counts
• Maintain routine eating times during holidays

Get support for Type 1 diabetes

Remember that managing Type 1 diabetes is an ongoing process. Every child's needs are different, and what works for one family might not work for another. The goal is to find an approach that keeps your child healthy while maintaining a positive relationship with food.

And if you’re in need of some extra support, talk to your child’s endocrinologist about how to create a right for your child and your family. They can help you understand how to manage meals while keeping your child's blood sugar stable, ensuring proper nutrition and making sure that mealtimes are an easier time for everyone.

So, it’s okay to ditch the idea of a “Type 1 diabetes diet” and focus on what’s right for your child and your family. If you need additional support, find an endocrinologist near you to help your child thrive with Type 1 diabetes.