Have you changed your family's eating habits?

[ashtensmom]

Since diagnosis we have always been told that dd can eat whatever she wants. Aside from now realizing certain foods affects her bg more than others, we haven't really restricted her from any foods (she even eats McDonald's). And we are particularly bad at feeding her sandwiches on a daily basis, because that is what she likes for school lunches...knowing that breads are carb bombs. Anyway I am wondering if this eating habit is really doing her harm, even though we are told that she can eat whatever she wants. I mean, decades ago when people were diagnosed with type 1, their meals were more restrictive and I hear a lot of comments from older generation type 1's that they attritube their good health and longevity to eating a health diabetic diet. So, are we doing harm to our children now by letting them eat normally... Should we be following a more diabetic diet (honestly, I don't even know what that means? But I am assuming low carb diet with lots of veggies, proteins, and three meals a day only and no grazing). Actually "grazing" or constantly snacking is another question that comes to mind.... Is constantly eating bad, because wouldn't that mean you are constantly high??? I would be interested to know the a1c of someone who constantly snacks as compared to the a1c of someone who only eats 3 meals a day.

[jessicat]

I have found the most help regarding this by meeting with the nutritionist-Which I would reccomend.
I have always interpreted the phrase "he can still eat whatever he wants" to mean that sugary treats, high carb foods, soda etc does not have to be eliminated from your life like a food allergy would be. But that eating healthy was pertinent to maintaining stable BS levels, and treats can still be factored in just as you would do on occasion even without Diabetes (like at parties, or friday night movies).

[ashtensmom]

Well I think we do eat relatively healthy, however I am no gormet. I think we are an average "busy" family that indulges in buying a few meals a week due to our busy schedule and obviously do not cook every single meal from stratch. We have seen a dietician through our endo clinic and will ask her this when we see her next. But in the meantime I am just wondering what other families' eating habits are and their thoughts on this.

[Amy C.]

In the past, the insulin used was NPH where a set amount of insulin had to be eaten at a set time. Many diabetics who were on the regimented diet forced by NPH continued to eat this way even though it wasn't needed.

We eat as other families do. My son eats sandwiches for lunch almost every day and boluses for it.

It is a challenge to figure out how to dose for certain foods, but worth the effort to figure it out.

[miss_behave]

I look at it this way. A non-diabetic eats and their pancreas releases insulin to match the carbs eaten. A diabetic eats and they inject or pump insulin to match the carbs eaten. Whats the difference? I know thats a bit simplistic and some foods are harder to match than others, but thats the general idea with insulin to carb ratios these days. It is better for all people, diabetic or not, to eat a healthy well balanced diet. But just like anyone else, it is fine to have occasional treats. Carbohydrates aren't evil, they are needed for energy, especially in growing children.
What makes you think eating normally would be harmful? Even if you totally miscalculate carbs and end up with a high bg, you correct it and move on. This can happen with any foods, obviously, not just treat foods. That is the nature of diabetes.

Honestly, the older generation of diabetics lived with a much different way of treating their condition. Many didn't even count carbs, they just dosed a pre-set amount of insulin twice or so a day. Of course they couldn't have larger carb meal, their pre-set dose wouldn't allow for it. So they were stuck eating the same, lower carb meals day in day out. Unfortunately some are still stuck in this mindset. We are lucky these days for basal/bolus insulin regimes that better mimic the natural function of the pancreas. We can eat normally and dose insulin to cover the food eaten.

I think it is important for a child with diabetes to eat a normal diet, for both their physical and psychological health. Unfortunately, the major focus on food already puts diabetic teens at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. Futhermore, restricting a kid's diet is liable to cause resentment of diabetes and rebellion down the track.

[TheLegoRef]

I think my kids eat pretty well. They always have, but sometimes before ds was dx'd, we'd eat like, spaghetti with nothing else. Now, we tell ds that at each meal, he must have 1 veggie, 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 protein, 1 drink. So even pizza and pop meals he has to have a fruit and veggie, or two veggies. I also keep my meals (and his 2-3 snacks) as consistent with all the other days of the week as possible.

Oh, but as for food other than that, he eats what he wants. The nutritionist told us that he shouldn't have more than 100 carbs per meal. (On pizza nights he goes to about 115.) If something is an "iffy" food like a piece of real candy or something, we just make sure he eats it with "better" foods to help cushion any repercussion. He has sandwiches, and pizza, and whatever other kids eat. Just more veggies probably!

[Beach bum]

We really haven't changed anything in our house, but then again, we were pretty healthy in our habits out of the gate. We've been lucky because our kids like fruits/veggies and don't like McDonalds. But, we do eat out and I do tend to grab and go on dance nights. In that case though, it's Subway or Panera, so while it's not great, it's a pretty good option. I try and cook at home as much as possible, but due to our busy schedule, it doesn't always work. I try and cook stuff that will yield leftoversso that I'm not running through the drive thru. I think the thing to remember, diabetes or not, is moderation.

The one food we don't eat frequently is pizza (maybe once a month)and Chinese take away (maybe once every 3 or more). These just are such a challenge right now for us with dosing. We try and replicate at home and it's not too bad.

[mollygolly]

I would say we definitely change how we eat. Less snacking and lower carb seems to be the only way we can avoid the big bg jumps after high carb foods. Really we are now following a more balance food guide diet of how you should eat anyway. The pasta/bread high carb portion is the 1/3 of the plate. We tend to keep snacks from 15-25g. We use a pump and cgm and have tried lots of different basal and bolus combos but modifying our dd's diet did bring much better A1C results. We still let her have candy, cake and such but less often and less of than before. And unfortunately some foods we totally avoid.

[LoveMyHounds]

Originally Posted by Amy C.

In the past, the insulin used was NPH where a set amount of insulin had to be eaten at a set time.

''In the past"? I wish! This is our life today

[wilf]

We eat better than we used to - we cut out a lot of the junk. Seeing what it did to DD's blood sugars made clear what it was doing to the rest of us..