Question

My child has diabetes type 1. What is the difference between diabetes type 1 and type 2, and why is food management important?

Answer

Diabetes that starts in childhood or adolescence is usually more severe than that beginning in middle or old age. Type 1 (or insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus is when the patient has little or no ability to produce the hormone insulin and is entirely dependent on insulin injections for survival.
 

In Type 2 (or non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus, usually occurring after the age of 40, the pancreas retains some ability to produce insulin but this is inadequate for the body's needs, so as well as diet control, some patients may require treatment with oral hypoglycaemic medications.
 

Carefully controlling blood sugar is the key to maintaining good health. Hypoglycaemia, blood glucose that is too low, and hyperglycaemia, blood sugar that is too high, are the result of poor control.
 

The goal of food management in diabetes is to try to keep your child's blood sugar at a consistent level through the day. This is done by matching the amounts of insulin given to the types and amounts of food eaten. Meal plans can be designed to fit your child's lifestyle.
 

Understanding how the food your child eats affects blood sugar is an important part of managing diabetes.
 

There are several common ways to manage meals. Your diabetes care provider will help you make a meal plan that works for your child. Most plans are based on measuring carbohydrates (carbs) in food because carbs have the biggest affect on the blood sugar level.
 

Three common types of meal plans are:
 

Constant carbohydrate meal plan: Your child eats a consistent amount of carbs each day to match a relatively consistent dose of insulin.
 

Carbohydrate counting meal plan: You figure out how many carbs your child is going to eat at a meal and adjust the insulin dose accordingly. The amount of carbohydrate may vary from day to day.
 

Exchange meal plan:
 

It is important to meet with a dietitian to develop a meal plan that meets your family's lifestyle.
 

See links below for Food management and Counting Carbohydrates, and Glucose Control - Benefits
 

Related Links
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_diabdiet_hhg_RT.htm
http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/diabetes/benefits.asp
http://www.cdiabetic.com/extras/ask.htm