An Intro: Low Carb for Type 1 Kids

Megan Dimitriades

The Pro's and the Con's of the most recommended diet proposed to those with Type One Diabetes. The below list of Pro's & Con's is ultimately the foundation for a much larger discussion that in time we will expand on more and more.

What do you need to know?

The Pro's

• Better blood sugar control
• It can instil a greater confidence in your own management with fewer glucose swings
• Minimises the risk of severe hypoglycaemic episodes

The Con's

• Decreased fibre intake
• Increased fat and protein intake which can lead to stress on additional organs

How low can you go?

There is no one size fits all, and different ages require different amounts of carbohydrates. Children are still growing and it is important to note that if you are cutting down on carbohydrates that you are increasing protein and fat in their diet.

Too much protein could add stress to the kidneys and more fat in their diet can increase the risk of heart disease. Cutting out carbs can also lead to vitamin deficiencies and lack of essential fibre in the diet.

There is currently a lack of evidence to state that low carb diets are fully beneficial to children. The individual child's needs to be monitored, as well as the family taken into consideration.

If you are considering low carbohydrate for your type one child, or because your child is overweight, or any other medical reason, please consult a dietitian to help you tailor make your child's diet ensuring they obtain a "nutritionally complete" diet.

How much carbs does the average child need per day?

A minimum of 130g per day, or 50 to 60% of their total energy.
The majority of carbs should come from wholegrains, vegetables, fruit and legumes.