Ask The Expert is a weekly column on Littlestomaks.com. The idea is to have a reader-submitted question answered by a nutrition expert or a pediatrician. Feel free to submit your question in the comments section below.
This week, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Tami Ross offers offers practical tips for a stress-free dining out experience if your child has Type 1 diabetes.
Question: My child has Type 1 diabetes. What should I be careful about when eating out in a restaurant? What questions should I ask?
Eating out is an enjoyable part of life for kids of all ages! Eating out with a child that has type 1 diabetes need not be a far different experience than eating out with any other child. Carbohydrate consciousness is top of mind when it comes to blood sugar (blood glucose) control. Most families quickly learn what foods and beverages contain carbohydrate and how much, how carbohydrate affects blood sugar, and how to dose insulin accordingly to keep blood sugars in target. With a little forethought, eating out can be as nutritious as it is tasty, and maintain blood sugar control too!.
Here are my favorite four tips to help make eating out a winning experience for everyone in the family:
Do some research: Check out nutrition information for favorite restaurants and identify healthy options in advance that fit your child’s carbohydrate and nutrition needs. You can find this information online for many restaurants.
Think ahead and time your dining: To avoid waiting for table with a hungry child, make a reservation if possible, or try to avoid times when the restaurant is busiest. Time insulin injections accordingly and have an appropriate snack with you in case blood sugar levels drop while waiting for the food to arrive.
Keep it simple: Choose foods in their simplest forms more often, such as grilled chicken sandwich, rather than chicken nuggets.
Stick with kid size portions: Kids meals are kid-sized and a more favorable portion-controlled option than “value” meals, which mean more calories, carbohydrate, fat, and salt
The following questions may be helpful to ask when ordering at restaurants and fast food favorites. You may have others to add to the list taking into account your child’s specific preferences, allergies, etc.
- What grilled meat options do you have? (grilled is lower in fat)
- Can the sauces/dressings be served on the side? (so that you can see the actual portion size, and assess how much your child consumes to count carbohydrates accordingly)
- If your child isn’t a fan of salad, ask: Can we substitute a favorite raw veggie my child likes (such carrot sticks or cherry tomatoes) with small amount of dressing for dipping, or substitute a fruit cup?
- Is it possible to order thin crust pizza? (fewer carbohydrates than original or thick crust)
- Can we request fruit instead of fries as a side with the fast food meal? (lower in fat; generally lower in carbohydrate; more nutrients and fiber)
- May we have low fat milk or water as a beverage (lower carbohydrate; healthier)
- Are bite size desserts an option (to satisfy the sweet tooth, but control portions)?
- May we have a to-go box? (to take home extras for later rather than encouraging over-eating to “clean the plate”)
These are all general tips - I recommend consulting with your child’s diabetes care team about what is best for your child.
Food for Thought…
- Identify 3 meals at your child’s favorite fast-food restaurant that fit their carbohydrate and nutrition needs.
- Check blood glucose 1 ½-2 hours after eating out and see if you’re child is in his/her target range. If not, rethink food choices, portion sizes, carbohydrate estimations, and insulin dosing…maybe they were off a bit? Make note, think about what you’ll do differently next time, and discuss with the diabetes care team.
- Consider cooking up some fun food fast in your own kitchen with kid-friendly recipes like Under the Sea Submarine and Ranch Style Nachos, both which can be found in my book Cooking Up Fun for Kids with Diabetes . A delicious and fun meal is less than 15 minutes away!
For more questions and answers on diabetes please join Tami and the International Food Information Council Foundation for a special diabetes chat on twitter Thursday, April 15 at 1:00 ET, #foodinsight. A transcript of the chat will also be available afterward at the IFIC website.
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Disclaimer – Information provided in Ask The Expert column on Littlestomaks.com is intended to give you general guidance on a question related to toddler nutrition. It is not meant to be treated as medical advice. You are welcome to contact this expert for a detailed consultation on your specific situation to determine what actions, if any, you should take regarding nutrition and health of your toddlers. We do not recommend you to take any action based solely on the information presented in this column. Experts have agreed to provide their professional opinion on toddler nutrition related questions on a voluntary basis and no compensation is offered to them by Littlestomaks.com.
