Cooking From Scratch Tips for Diabetic Kids

Diabetes can affect young and old alike. It is important to check your blood sugar and keep it regulated. Today we are sharing some tasty variations on common recipes that won’t spike the blood sugar. But first, a bit of background....

Diagram shows insulin release from the Pancreas and how this lowers blood sugar leves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)What Is Diabetes?

There are two types – Type 1 and Type 2. Children may have either type. Type 1 diabetes occurs in childhood most often. For this type, the body doesn’t make any insulin at all.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. It is used to transport glucose from the blood to the cells where it is used as fuel.

Consider insulin to be a taxi driver in your bloodstream. In response to high levels of glucose in the blood, it is manufactured and shipped off so that glucose can hitch a ride.

Type 2 diabetes is often called insulin-resistant diabetes. It usually occurs in adults but children can develop it too if conditions are right. Either your body stops responding to the insulin that is present or you aren’t producing enough to handle the load of glucose in your blood (a common problem in today's typical American diet laden with WAY too much sugar).

Type 2 diabetes is often a complication of obesity. The amount of glucose in the system overwhelms the body and it will stop responding to glucose, or insulin levels will be deficient.

In both cases, the concern here is for the levels of sugar in the blood. Too much glucose can damage the organs and lead to even more serious health problems. In order to keep blood sugar at manageable levels, it has to be checked several times a day.

For those with Type 1 diabetes, the amount of insulin needed to lower that glucose level depends on the glucose number. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be needed to move glucose but often the levels are managed with medication and diet.

Helpful Recipe Modifications for Kids

What we want to watch here is carbs. They are broken down into sugars. These sugars enter the bloodstream to await pick-up by insulin. Foods that keep glucose levels steady are more desirable.

Tips to make recipes diabetes friendly:

* Start with their favorite recipes. Use different substitutions to lower the carb count to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

* Use rice instead of pasta. Shrimp or chicken goes just as well atop rice as atop pasta. Try brown rice. It is healthier for the body, and has a lower glycemic load (glucose is released more slowly into the bloodstream).

Pasta con funghi e piselli (Photo credit: davide.santoni)* Try low carb pastas. There are several on the market today in many pasta varieties besides spaghetti.

* Make your own sauces. Store-bought sauces contain a lot of hidden sugars. Get the kids involved and show them how to make spaghetti sauce, pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce and others from scratch using wholesome ingredients and less carbs. Not only will they be healthier, they'll also taste better! (And by making your own from scratch, you're not just avoiding sugar - you're also staying clear of lots of nasty preservatives, trans-fats, and excess salt.)

* Add spice. Instead of adding sugar, try using different spices to jazz up foods. For instance, lower the sugar amount in muffin recipes and add applesauce and other flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and citrus zest.

* Check labels. It is almost always healthier to start meals from scratch then trying to use prepared meals - and surprisingly, often almost as easy. Kids learn to cook with fresh foods and appreciate their flavors without adding sugar or extra carbs, thus setting them on a healthier path for life.

If your child is diabetic, they can still enjoy their favorite foods with a few substitutions - and if you are diabetic yourself, try some of these options as well - you might be surprised at how tasty it can be to eat healthy!

Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty diabetes-friendly recipes you can make from scratch!