Introduction
Managing type 1 diabetes in kids doesn’t mean boring meals—think dal-chawal with a smart twist! As a Kolkata-based dietitian, I’ve helped families stabilise blood sugar using everyday Indian foods.
We have to understand Type 1 diabetes is totally insulin-dependent. Meaning the child’s pancreas aren’t able to make insulin at all.
What does Type 1 diabetes mean?
When our body works fine our brain is in charge of Insulin.
When we need energy, our cells inform the brain. The brain signals food sources or storage sources to send glucose (sugar) and pancreas for insulin.
Actually, insulin is like a key. When energy reaches the door of the cell, the insulin key opens the cell door for it to let the glucose molecule enter the cell.
When a child has type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make and send insulin to the cells. So, the lock on the cell door doesn’t open, and glucose doesn’t enter the cell to provide energy. The cell doesn’t know a glucose molecule is waiting at the door, and insulin is absent. It keeps sending signals to the brain, not having received glucose.
Now the brain also doesn’t come to know the absence of insulin. So it keeps sending glucose from various sources first, then storage, and when that ends, it breaks down protein stores and converts them into glucose and keeps sending glucose. Once protein sources are exhausted, the brain starts using fat stores to convert into glucose.
When the fats keep converting into glucose in this uncontrolled fashion, it leads to ketoacidosis, the classic symptom of type 1 diabetes.
Since the absence of insulin was the actual problem in the first place, once it is provided through injection (or nowadays inhalers have also come, please talk to your endocrinologist regarding use), the usage of energy starts functioning systematically.
Why is Type 1 diabetes diet important?
In the above explaination it is clear that now the control of insulin is not with the child’s brain anymore since the pancreas is not making it. Now the insulin is controlled by the endocrinologist’s brain, and they plan the doses according to height, weight, and age of the child. Although very intelligent, but the brain is now external to the child’s body.
In a person whose pancreas functions normally, every time a person eats, the insulin production can manage the energy utilisation. Excess energy is stored in the liver and adipose tissue; everything works in a proper cycle.
In a child with type 1 diabetes, this cycle is broken, hence the diet has to be planned according to the insulin doses designed by the medical practitioner. If we believe insulin is being given so the child can eat the way it pleases, that can be very detrimental to health. Frequent fluctuations, and as explained, ketoacidosis can occur.
Is Type 1 Diabetes Scary?
Unmanaged type 1 diabetes is scary and can be life-threatening.
Well-Managed type 1 diabetes with diet, medical monitoring, and proper lifestyle surely gives the child a normal childhood and a healthy, long life.
At OPD, we get questions like, ” Will my daughter live through, can she marry, have children, & lead a normal life?”
I know these questions are coming from the bias of Indian society, but still, the answer is yes, Both Sons and daughters can marry and live a healthy married life with type 1 diabetes.
The condition is regular medical monitoring, diet management and a good lifestyle. In today’s world, when chronic diseases are on the rise, these are essential for any person for a healthy, long life, otherwise even without Type 1 diabetes, people do suffer.
What is Type 1 diabetic diet?
The most important thing to understand is that every food coming from plant or dairy sources has carbohydrates. Some have more, some have less. Also, carbohydrates directly increase sugar levels. This is because, when brain signals sending of glucose, readily available carbohydrates are the first & fastest choice for the body to release glucose, as long as they are avilable body doesn’t use any other source.
Earlier, a concept was created around this information, glycemic index values were given to the foods according to the ability to increase glucose in our bloodstream. People were advised to avoid high Glycemic index foods, restrict moderate ones and include low ones.
But this system still didn’t regulate blood sugar levels.
Why so?
Even if we take low glycemic index foods only, but take too many servings together, the total of carbohydrate content in the meal increases sugar levels.
Carbohydrate Counting
As discussed, all dairy and plant source foods have carbohydrates, so we must count the carbohydrates in each meal.
Each food group has a different amount of carbohydrate on an average basis. E.g. dairy has 12 gm carbohydrate per serving, cereal has 21-22 gm, pulses and legumes have 15 gm, fruits have varied and so on.
A qualified dietitian can help you understand serving sizes for your child and carbohydrate counting so that you can efficiently balance glucose and insulin doses.
Diet & lifestyle for Type 1 diabetes
Apart from carbohydrate counting, we must ensure few more things:
- More fibre-rich carbohydrates (complex carbs) and minimal simple carbohydrates is the golden rule for diabetes meal planning. Although for kids it is challenging to make them understand why they can’t have sweets and ice-creams, your dietitian can help you plan to include them occasionally.
- Balanced proteins are a must. The child needs the catabolic nature of the disease, protein requirement for repair and functioning of the body and most importantly, growth & development.
- These kids tend to lose weight, but high fats are not the solution. Fats should be given in a balanced way, with adequate protein.
- Adequate vitamins and minerals come from natural greens, nuts and seeds, fruits and salads, different colored vegetables, whole grains, legumes and pulses, dairy, and Vitamin D from sunlight. ALL ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
- Adequate water is required for proper functing of all the carb cycles.
- Exercise and games for kids are a must.
- Proper sleeps schedule and resting is required. Studies are important, but kids study better when they are rested well.
- NO SOCIAL MEDIA TILL 16 YEARS OF AGE. Indian Government is already planning a ban, finger-crossed.
Final Word
One can manage type 1 diabetes and lead a long, healthy life. Take help. It is a medical condition. Please do not go after quackery; so-n-so will reverse Type 1 diabetes. No, it won’t. One organ is not functioning; no quackery can make it work.
Connect with me for detailed and personalised Diet plan and counseling. We will together monitor the child and learn the concepts for few months, then you will be tension free for life.
