If a ten year old child has just found out that he is diabetic, what diet and exercise regiment should he follow?

Every diabetic, whether an adult or child, will require professional advice tailored specifically to their illness and lifestyle.

A ten year old child will have the benefit of support from parents, who in turn should have ongoing support from their diabetic clinic.

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I was prescribed Novomix 30, an insulin administered twice a day. I was advised to eat little and often, about five small meals a day, based on the Glycemic Index type of food plan.

However, there are many different insulins prescribed for Type 1 diabetics. And of course some Type 2's will also be injecting insulin if their illness gets worse. Ideally the correct diet and exercise might delay this in their circumstances.

It is possible to manage blood sugar levels with the right diet and exercise, but the emphasis is on 'manage'. Sometimes just when you think you have hit your target, it will suddenly go pear-shaped. But we all get a blip in our blood sugar levels at times.

Children suffering with diabetes will have the added problems of coping with school meals ( parents should give them a planned packed lunch) Discourage the youngster from buying fizzy drinks and take-away food.

School sports can also cause a problem, because physical exercise lowers blood sugar, and if taking insulin the dose, has to be adjusted to avoid a hypo. (hypoglycaemia)

It's always important to inform the school if your child has diabetes. No one wishes to set a youngster apart from his peers, but if friends and carers are aware of the situation they will recognise when the child starts to feel ill.

We all have very different causes and symptoms of this illness, and what will work for one person will not work for another.

Usually a dietician and a diabetic nurse will work together to give a diabetic child or adult a workable lifestyle plan, and there is usually someone at the end of the phone to give instant advice.

Constant research is continuing into diabetes, so medications and treatments are improving all the time.

Whether the child (or anyone else) has Type I diabetes or Type II diabetes, the diet to follow should be outlined by a dietitian who specializes in diets for diabetics. Diabetics must eat certain portions... keep reading →