Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Children with Diabetes

Children with diabetes need consistent healthy snacks that provide sustained energy and help manage blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, kids are constantly enticed by sugary snacks that may leave them feeling fatigued or worse. To ensure that your diabetic child is eating the right kinds of foods, consider the following healthy breakfast ideas and snacking options that will promote energy and better overall health.

Start with a good breakfast

Studies have shown that when children eat the right breakfast, they tend to enjoy more energy and suffer from fewer cravings throughout the day. This is especially important for diabetic kids, who may be tempted by unhealthy treats while outside the home. That said, the wrong kind of breakfast won’t provide much benefit; so be sure to choose foods that are high in protein and fiber. Foods, such as eggs, ham, oatmeal and raisin bran, are perfect because they’re rich in protein and fiber-rich whole grains which take longer to digest. This characteristic promotes sustained energy and helps reduce cravings for longer periods of time.

After breakfast

Every kid likes to snack; however, diabetic children have to be careful when choosing what to eat. You can encourage healthier snacking by providing a wide assortment of options that will prevent your child from growing bored. Dress up vegetables and fruits with dips made from low-fat cream cheese, low-fat sour cream and peanut butter. When offering snacks, suggest comparable options. For instance, don’t suggest carrot sticks or pretzels; instead ask if they want yogurt or ice cream, grapes or apples. Whatever you do, be sure to read nutrition labels before bringing processed snacks into the home. Often, even healthy-looking processed snacks contain a surprising amount of sugar and fat.

The best of both worlds

If you can’t settle on a healthy breakfast and/or snack for your diabetic child, consider one of Mom’s Healthy Secrets cereals. Packed with nutritious whole grains, tasty fruits and hunger-curbing fiber, our cereals provide the perfect start to each morning, but can also serve as a delicious snack at different points during the day.

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