Type 1 Diabetes Snacks Help

When you think of healthy snacks for your kids you probably think of fruit, baby carrots, granola bars, and maybe popcorn without the butter. But what if your child has Type 1 Diabetes, would it be the same kind of snacks? In most cases yes, but in small amounts. When your child has Type 1 Diabetes it is a whole new ball game on what is considered “Healthy.” When you hear about diabetes and food to avoid it can get a little overwhelming and you shouldn't feel that way. The simple rule of thumb is to stay natural and eat healthy. It really isn't that difficult. Selecting the right food for diabetics is actually learning how to eat healthy and developing a healthy lifestyle that everyone should be doing anyway. Good food for diabetics is also great food for people that don't have diabetes.

The easiest way to figure out a healthy snack for a child with Type 1 Diabetes or even a good diet for Type 2 Diabetes is to know how much carbohydrates and fat grams are in the snack and the amount that is being taken in. Diabetics can’t take in high carbohydrates or fat mainly because it causes their blood sugars to spike. If you stick with low carb and low fat snacks and stay away from sugary and high fat snacks (fruit snacks, cookies, chips, crackers, ice cream, candy, canned or dried fruit etc...) you will be fine and so will your child. You won’t have to always be worrying and it makes everyone’s life a lot easier and less stressful.

Since I work with children all day long at my preschool and see what they like and don’t like; I came up with the top 10 snacks of what I consider would be good food for a child with diabetes that will satisfy their craving/snack attack and make Moms happy, too.

1. Trail mix (over the age of two)
2. Low fat string cheese
3. Melon balls (make people out of them with toothpicks)
4. Carrots or cucumbers with a tablespoon of ranch (little added zing)
5. Grapes (frozen grapes are great in the summer)
6. Apple wedges
7. Rice cakes with all natural fruit spread or peanut butter
8. Banana slices with peanut butter (make the Leaning Tower of Pisa by alternating banana slices & peanut butter
9. Low fat popcorn
10. Best for last -- low fat frozen yogurt (I just tell them its ice cream and they don't know the difference.)

Make sure the peanut butter you use doesn't have any added sugars and also that your child is over two, just in case of any nut allergies. If they do have allergies you can easily substitute peanut butter with low fat cream cheese.

You know your child best and it just depends on what your child likes to eat. My top ten above are the foods that almost all my preschoolers like and will eat without complaining. When they are happy; we are all happy! Your child may also like these suggestions if you want to mix it up so they don't get bored with the same food.

• Rolled up turkey meat in lettuce or just plain
• Cherry tomatoes
• Pears
• Celery with low fat cream cheese or peanut butter
• Yogurt covered raisins (not the best for their teeth, but the kids love them)
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Snap Peas (another popular veggie, but either they love them or they turn their nose at them)

Snack Time Bowl Ideas

If you need some snack time help I would recommend putting a bowl in the fridge or on the counter with your child’s favorite snacks already prepared and ready to go. A lot of kids will grab a snack that is convenient rather than healthy. What we do in our home is keep a big bowl full of fruits and vegetables that are individually wrapped in baggies. All my girls have to do is grab the snack and go. Not only is it convenient, it also gives them the right portion amount. You can do the same on the counter for dried snacks. Divide the low carb and low fat snacks into individual baggies and place them in a bowl and then they can grab a bag at snack time. This will also help you know how many carbohydrates they are taking in and it will be easier to keep track of their blood sugar levels. If you have very small children only bring the bowl out during snack time so they aren’t trying to grab a snack every 10 minutes. The bowl gives them options and they will feel like they have some kind of say on what they are eating. It’s a “Win Win” situation for everyone!

Enjoy all these snacks ideas that promote good food for diabetics and children that have Juvenile Diabetes.