DIABETES IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: ATTENDING BIRTHDAY PARTIES, RESTAURANTS ETC.
The following guidelines may be helpful when your young child goes to a party.
1. Inform host parents that your child has diabetes. Explain which of the foods that are planned for the party will be suitable for your child and the approximate quantities. Do not be too exact about carbohydrate exchanges. Remember to allow for extra excitement. Some of the carbohydrate exchanges from the next meal could also be used.
2. Offer to provide diet soft drinks.
3. Host parents should also be aware of hypoglycemia. Excited children may often forget to eat or only have a few mouthfuls.
4. For younger children you may feel that you should also attend the party.
5. As your child becomes older discuss with him/her the types and amounts of foods that will be suitable.
6. On the day give the normal carbohydrate exchanges up until the time of the party.
7. The birthday cake brought home is often forgotten but if your child wants it, allow a small piece. Perhaps include it as part of the carbohydrate allowance at a later meal of snack.
Eating in restaurants
Ordering from a menu will be easier if you have a good knowledge of your diet. Experience at calculating your own recipes will increase your skills in estimating the carbohydrate content of restaurant dishes. The waiter may be able to assist you by describing the cooking method. Restaurants specializing in meals of a particular culture eg. Chinese, Greek, Mexican, Lebanese should not be a problem. Your dietitian can assist you in describing the types of foods that would be suitable. It is important that you consider the whole meal before ordering. Avoid ordering high carbohydrate dishes for all courses. It would be preferable to balance the meal by having a lower carbohydrate entree followed by a higher carbohydrate main course or vice versa. Bread can be used to adjust the carbohydrate content of the meal if required.
Low carbohydrate entrees/main courses
Seafood – sauces could add to carbohydrate exchanges
Pate – toast or biscuit served would add to carbohydrate exchanges.
Clear Soups
Plain Cooked Meats – sauce may contribute to carbohydrate exchanges.
Higher carbohydrate entrees/main courses
Crepes – savory filling
Crumbed Meats
Pastry Dishes
Desserts are most difficult to estimate as the amount of sugar used will be quite variable. Fresh fruits and ice-creams are easier to estimate. Cheese and greens may be a better choice.
Beverages
Natural mineral water, diet soft drinks are suitable. Fruit juices must be included in the carbohydrate exchanges. Alcoholic beverages can be included in moderation.
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