Carbohydrate Management for Children and Youth
New to Diabetes
Good nutrition is a very important part of managing diabetes and staying healthy.
Meal planning and proper food measurements will be necessary to control blood
sugars. These guidelines will help to get you started. You will need to meet with a
registered dietitian for more specific meal planning guidelines. Actual
carbohydrate amounts will be calculated based on individualized caloric needs,
preferences, and activity level.
Several guidelines
1) Eat 3 meals and 3 snacks daily.
2) Eat a variety of foods that are generally high in fiber and low in fat.
3) Measure foods so you know exactly how much you are eating.
4) Write down everything eaten at meals and snacks each day. Be sure to list
the food item and measured portion. This will be needed at the
appointment with the dietitian.
It is necessary for people with diabetes to keep track of the number of
carbohydrate choices or servings they have at each meal and snack.
Carbohydrate choices or servings are counted by accurately measuring foods and
reading food labels. One carbohydrate choice or serving provides 15 grams of
carbohydrate.
Girls
Boys
Average Carbohydrate Recommendations per Meal
<5 years
5-12 years
Teens
2-3 carb
3-4 carb
3-5 carb
choices/meal
choices/meal
choices/meal
(30-45 grams)
(45-60 grams)
(45-75 grams)
2-3 carb
3-4 carb
4-6 carb
choices/meal
choices/meal
choices/meal
(30-45 grams)
(45-60 grams)
(60-90 grams)
Calculating Carbohydrate Choices from Food Labels
One carbohydrate choice = 15 grams of carbohydrate
To figure out how many carbs are in a particular food, try this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Check serving size
Find total carbohydrate
Divide the total carbohydrate by 15
Or refer to the table below
If the total carbohydrate from the food label is:
0 - 5 grams = 0 carb choices
6 - 10 grams = 0.5 carb choices
11 – 20 grams = 1 carb choice
21 – 25 grams = 1.5 carb choices
26 - 35 grams = 2 carb choices
36 - 40 grams = 2.5 carb choices
41 - 50 grams = 3 carb choices
51 – 55 grams = 3.5 carb choices
56 – 65 grams = 4 carb choices
66 – 70 grams = 4.5 carb choices
71 – 80 grams = 5 carb choices
Sample Meal Plans
Sample Breakfasts - consisting of 2-3 carbohydrate choices (30-45 grams)
3/4 cup Cheerios
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
4 oz. milk
(1/2 carbohydrate choice or 6 grams)
½ small banana
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 2.5 carbohydrate choices or 36 grams
½ whole bagel
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
(Lender’s brand size)
Cream cheese or margarine
4 oz. juice
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 2 carbohydrate choices or 30 grams
1 waffle
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
(Eggo brand size)
2 Tbsp. Light Syrup (1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
8 oz. milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 12 grams)
Total = 3 carbohydrate choices or 42 grams
Sample Lunches -consisting of 3-4 carbohydrate choices (45-60 grams)
1 cup chicken noodle soup (1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
6 saltine crackers
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Baby carrots
1Tbsp. low-fat ranch dressing
½ cup sugar free pudding (1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 3 carbohydrate choices or 45 grams
1 whole sandwich with 2 slices bread
(2 carbohydrate choices or 30 grams)
Luncheon meat, cheese, or peanut butter
8 oz. milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
1 small apple
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 60 grams or 4 carbohydrate choices
½ cup macaroni and cheese (1 carbohydrate choices or 15 grams)
½ cup fruit cocktail
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Green beans
Sugar-Free Jell-O
4 oz. juice
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total= 3 carbohydrate choices or 45 grams
Sample Dinners - consisting of 3-4 carbohydrate choices (45-60 grams)
1 cup cooked spaghetti
(3 carbohydrate choices or 45 grams)
2 cups salad
1 Tbsp. salad dressing
½ cup broccoli
½ cup fruit cup
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Crystal Light or water
Total = 4 carbohydrate choices or 60 grams
3 ounces of grilled chicken
½ cup mashed potatoes
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
½ cup cooked carrots
1 dinner roll
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
8 oz. of low fat milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 12 grams)
Total = 3 carbohydrate choices or 45 grams
1 slice pizza (any toppings) (2 carbohydrate choices or 30 grams)
8 oz. milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 12 grams)
½ cup pineapples
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15grams)
Total = 4 carbohydrate choices or 60 grams
A Sample Daily Meal Plan
Breakfast
½ small banana
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
1 ½ cups cornflakes
(2 carbohydrate choices or 30 grams)
1 tsp. Margarine
8 oz. low-fat milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 12 grams)
Total = 4 carbohydrate choices or 60 grams
AM Snack
1 cup low-fat yogurt
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams
Lunch
Sandwich:
1-2 oz. lean meat, 1 slice reduced-fat cheese, 2 slices bread, 1 tsp. mayonnaise,
lettuce and tomato
(2 carbohydrate choices or 30 grams)
Baby carrots
Small apple
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
15 low-fat chips
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 4 carbohydrate choices or 60 grams
PM Snack
8 animal crackers
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
Total = 1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams
Dinner
3 oz baked chicken breast
½ cup mashed potato
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
½ cup broccoli
1 slice bread
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
1 tsp margarine
½ cup canned pears
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
1 cup salad
2 Tbsp. low-fat salad dressing
Total = 3 carbohydrate choices or 45 grams
Bedtime Snack
1 small peach
(1 carbohydrate choice or 15 grams)
8 oz. low-fat milk
(1 carbohydrate choice or 12 grams)
Total = 2 carbohydrate choices or ~30 grams
Additional Information:
If you have questions, please call: _____________________ Registered Dietitian
Phone: (717) 531- ________ or (717) 531-8406