Page 227 - MHF-FeedingMinds-final.indd

218 7.3 Nutrition for Children with Chronic Diseases and Syndromes

is about 20 per cent of the carbohydrate allowance. Breakfast 3
Sugary foods are better given at the end of meals Mid-morning snack 2
rather than as snacks as at the end of a meal the Midday meal 3
sugar will be absorbed more slowly and therefore Mid-afternoon snack 2
less likely to make the blood glucose levels rise Evening meal 3
quickly. Snack before bed 2
Total for the day 15
Special diabetic foods are not necessary and are
better avoided. Sorbitol, which is a sweetener, is An example one-day menu for such a child is
often used in special diabetic foods and can cause shown in Table 7.3.5.
diarrhoea.
Glycaemic index
A routine of meals and snacks is important so The glycaemic index of the meals and snacks eaten
that similar amounts of carbohydrate are offered at is a measure of how quickly blood glucose levels
each meal and snack. A young child having 15 rise after eating that meal or snack. Sugary foods,
carbohydrate exchanges each day may have them
distributed through the day like this:

Table 7.3.5 Sample one-day menu for a young child with diabetes allowed 15 carbohydrate exchanges

Meal or snack 2 Weetabix Number of carbohydrate Total number of carbohydrate
Breakfast 100 mL milk exchanges exchanges for each meal or snack
½ banana sliced
Mid-morning ½ apple sliced 2 3
snack 1 digestive biscuit ½
Midday meal 100 mL milk to drink ½ 2
1 large slice toast with ½
Mid-afternoon butter 1 3
snack 2½ tbsp baked beans ½
Cucumber and carrot 2
sticks
5 grapes ½
1½ digestive biscuits
1 satsuma ½
Water to drink 1½ 2
½

Evening meal 3 tbsp cooked pasta 1 3
Bolognaise sauce

Broccoli florets

Snack before bed 1 carton fruit yogurt 1 2
½
5 strawberries ½

50 mL fruit juice diluted 2
with water

1 large slice toast with
butter