Recently there was a commercial on television that had a group of individuals looking totally perplexed as they walked out of their doctor’s office. They had just been diagnosed with diabetes. Parents experience the same feelings, as they realize the complexity of managing their child’s diabetes care. One area of concern; finding cooking ideas, and recipes that their children will like to eat.

Many parents are concerned that they will need to purchase expensive diabetic food products. This is just not true. You can shop for groceries as you normally would. However, there may be a few new items that you will stock.

1.Replace oil and butter with vegetable oil sprays.
2.Use 2% , 1%, or skim milk
3.Use more spices, herbs, lemon and lime juice as seasonings.
4.Purchase whole grain cereals, pasta, and breads.
5.You will need sugar substitutes both white and brown.
6.Purchase sugar free juices and drinks.

Another change that you will need to make will benefit the whole family. Start broiling, steaming, and baking meats and meat products. This doesn’t mean that you can never fry foods, it just means that it would be healthier to alternate cooking methods in order to reduce fat intake.

Today, parents do not have to worry about cooking searate meals, one for themselves and one for their child. Meal planning is an extremely important part of every diabetic child’s lifestyle. The process of learning how to cook foods that are healthy and nutritious will take some time. The “good news” there is a wealth of information online, in books, and in magazines regarding cooking ideas for children with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association online provides recipes daily, a virtual grocery store, and a free Diabetes Forecast magazine. Additionally they provide information for Holiday Meal Planning, Exchange Lists, and their Diabetic Food Pyramid.

Websites like children with Diabetes provide fun recipes and cooking ideas. Along with diabetes events, support groups, diabetes services and important links to other websites. You can also find diabetes advocates and regional service information.

Once you find meal planning ideas and recipes, include your child. Make cooking fun by turning it into an activity. The more that your child is involved in ideas for cooking the more they will become comfortable with the disease as they grow into healthy adults.

By Donald Saunders

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