T1 toddler fussy eating

retsil99

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi there, my daughter was diagnosed with T1 in January at 2 years and 4 months. I am also T1 so understand a fair bit already but am struggling with the toddler aspect. So far we are dosing her insulin after meals with agreement from her specialist nurse so we don't give her insulin for food she decides she doesn't want to eat.

But does anyone have any experience of trying to feed a toddler with diabetes who regularly doesn't want to eat carbs!? Bread is often a no-no. Ditto crumpets, crackers, savoury muffins, bread buns, bagels, paninis, chips, potato waffles, potato smiles, mashed potato, rice or pasta. Breadsticks are currently acceptable but don't feel like a meal!!

I don't want to just give her carbs from crisps, biscuits, cake, fruit and breadsticks! Our hospital dietitian really doesn't seem to have experience with fussy toddlers either.

Any help, suggestions or experience appreciated, thanks.
 

GrantGam

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,603
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'll tag one of out friendly moderators @azure for you:) Although I understand none of her children are diabetic, she may still have some tips and tricks up her sleeve wrt fussy eating:)
 
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Struma

Well-Known Member
Messages
536
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Other
This isn't really helpful, but I think I would start a weekly weight record chart for sure.
Maybe your area has a community paediatric dietician service.
 

azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi @retsil99 :)

Toddlers are experts at fussy eating! I don't have any magic answers but these things are what I do:


1) Exhibit total coolness at all times. Even if you're stressed by the lack of eating, never show it. Act casually and don't react.

2) Accept that sometimes they're going to eat a less healthy option. Just try to make up for it at other meals. It's the overall diet that counts :)

3) Try new things eg cous cous, rice noodles, dry cereal if they won't eat it with milk, sweet potato chips, wraps, crunchy tacos, croutons on salad/veg, pulses, fish cakes made with potato/rice/oats, porridge fingers, polenta, etc etc

4) Try old things in new ways eg use biscuit cutters to cut toast or bread into shapes, try different shaped pasta or a pasta bake or a lasagne, add rice to a casserole or thicken a sauce with millet or potato. Or add a healthy sauce eg to dip chips/pasta/toast fingers in. My toddler is fascinated with dipping sauces at the moment.

5) Keep trying - they say babies/toddlers need up to 30 tastes before they accept a new food.


Another thing I did with one of my children, is to give them Weetabix or Ready Brek as dessert or supper if I felt theyd hadn't eaten their main meal well. I didn't make a big thing of this - I just substituted it for the dessert I had in mind without them realising.

None of my children have diabetes but I can imagine how much more stressful it would be if they did. I'd try a glass of milk or cereal or a more healthy biscuit if they had Type 1 and I needed to add carbs.

I'm going to tag the very helpful @Skye's_mummy said she has a Type 1 toddler/young child :)
 

Shinealight

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
My daughter isn't keen on carbs (apart from sugary ones or crisps of course!) Jacket potatoes and baked beans are a bit of a life saver for me and I do resort to fruit quite a lot. Sometimes having a choice helps too (I guess she feels more in control).
 
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