Many foods contain carbohydrates, and the glucose provided by carbs is essential for a child’s body and brain to perform properly. Glucose is a crucial source of energy used by the body’s cells for growth and brain development, and to power the body as it performs everyday physical activities.

Carbs are present in fruit and veg, bread, grains, rice and dairy products like cheese and yoghurt. As well as being a source of glucose, these foods also contain important vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber. Snacks like cakes, crisps and biscuits are another source of carbs, but they lack any real nutritional value.

Once a healthy child’s body has turned carbs into glucose, insulin the transports the glucose around the body, where it provides cells with energy. Children with diabetes can’t produce enough insulin, however, so it is therefore necessary to balance carb intake with insulin levels in order to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Carb counting is a great way for diabetics to plan what they eat. By setting a fixed amount of carbs for each meal and snack, you can then administer the correct amount of insulin.

Your GP or healthcare advisor will be able to help you determine your child’s nutritional needs, and what amount of carbs you should be aiming to include in their diet. Their requirements will be affected by factors including age, gender, body weight and activity levels. Based on this information, you can then determine appropriate amount of rapid- or short-acting insulin to administer.

Recommended insulin-to-carb ratios vary from one child to the next, and this will change as each individual grows. In general, teenagers will need more units of insulin for every gram of carbs they consume when compared with toddlers, for example. Factors such as body weight and activity levels will also dictate the appropriate ratio. Your GP or diabetes specialist will be able to advise you on the suitable ratio and how to make this work in practice.

Get more information on diabetes carb counting.

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