Type 1 food choices... am I missing something?!
Question: Gina's 5 and on the pump. We count carbs, that is to say, we don't cap at a certain number, rather and her gets her insulin based off of carb total intake and BS.
I let her have candy. Cake. Dessert. Not grossly, or irresponsibly, but like any other parent. What's wrong w/ this?
I didn't question what I was doing, except I've seen a lot of input here about avoiding candy, substitutes for chocolate, etc. which wouldn't surprise me for type 2 questions, but for the amount of type 1 Q&A I've seen I'm wondering what boat I'm missing.
I'm very responsible and "on top of things" w/ her diabetes. Can't she have anything she wants as long as I can account for it w/ insulin?
Answers: Gina's 5 and on the pump. We count carbs, that is to say, we don't cap at a certain number, rather and her gets her insulin based off of carb total intake and BS.
I let her have candy. Cake. Dessert. Not grossly, or irresponsibly, but like any other parent. What's wrong w/ this?
I didn't question what I was doing, except I've seen a lot of input here about avoiding candy, substitutes for chocolate, etc. which wouldn't surprise me for type 2 questions, but for the amount of type 1 Q&A I've seen I'm wondering what boat I'm missing.
I'm very responsible and "on top of things" w/ her diabetes. Can't she have anything she wants as long as I can account for it w/ insulin?
yep. she certainly can. obviously it's good that you're not letting her go over board with it (as any parent should)...but think about it...if she weren't diabetic, her body would kick out extra insulin to cover it anyway. as long as you're covering for the carbs, and testing her blood sugar...it's no problem.
Hello! I've been a Type 1 diabetic for 22 years so I may can help you a little with this. First of all, is Gina on an insulin pump? An insulin pump provides much more flexibility than the "poor man's pump" which usually consists of a fast-acting insulin and then a long-lasting insulin at night via injection. If she's not on a pump, I'd definitely look into getting her one.
Now, as for the food questions, as long as you are balancing her carb intake with the correct amount of insulin. She should be okay. Do you have a carb:insulin ration for her? Be sure you know exactly how many carbs she is ingesting during each meal and snack.
In general, it's important that she eat healthy. It's okay to feed her candy and desserts in moderation, just don't make it an everyday thing or this could cause her to gain weight, and I'm here to tell you that it's HARD for Type 1's to lose weight. But, the bottom line is, yes she can have whatever she wants as long as it's in moderation and it's being accounted for with her insulin. As long as her A1c's are below 7%, she should be good.
Good luck!
It is not really a matter of "not giving it". It is moderation and limits. U are already counting her carbs and such. Children are very resilient. So here is what I know. When I serve diabetic trays at the hospital, they have a dessert, say cake without frosting, pudding, ice cream (usually of the sherbert or healthy heart type) pies, etc. and they are of normal value, not diet. They just get smaller portions that are calculated into the over all calorie of their meal, say 1800 cal. diabetic diet tray. They figure out their overall plan for the day in snacks, meals and fluids. And they get quite an amount. I think you are doing great with your daughter!
All of us on insulin whether type 1 or type 2 do need some "cheat treats" occasionally. I do not want to give up my half cup of ice cream every night!
Yes, since you are counting the grams of carb and calculating how much insulin she needs, as long as she doesn't go overweight (insulin causes this) she is doing fine and so are you!
Lots of people who don't know any better keep saying to not have any sweets at all unless they are sugar free kind! These usually have sugar alcohol which causes lots of gastric upset in most of us, even tiny amounts. Said people don't get the gastric bit of this, so they can eat it.
Type 2 people on oral meds don't even like the make believe sweets. They mostly taste nasty.
Just keep going with your healthy approach to your daughter's food plan, and yours as well.
My grandson is so surprising to me!! He doesn't care if I make desserts or have candy and pop! He would rather have a fruit! usually an apple.
Of course if she's on a pump because I mean imagine a childhood without sweets!!!!!!!!
No there is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your daughter have sweets. As long as it is in moderation and for the desserts not at every meal she should be fine since you are covering for the carbs with the pump.
And not restricting food choices will encourage her to eat healthier and let her be more like a normal kid.
I am on an insulin pump too and I have something sweet everyday, normally it is three or four pieces of Dove dark chocolate.
I saw my CDE earlier today and she actually asked point blank if I am eating something sweet with little to no nutritional value at least once a day. When I asked her why she said that having something sweet is good for your mental health and makes you feel like you are more normal and by choosing when you have it you can give yourself something to look forward too.
I said yes although 2 of my doctors, both not my endo, want me to cut out all sugar.