Low-Carbohydrate Diets in Children and Adolescents with or at Risk for Diabetes

Q: 1. Are low-carbohydrate diets safe and effective for managing diabetes in children and adolescents?

The review examines the risks, benefits, and need for close supervision when considering these diets for youth.

Q: 2. What are the recommended dietary approaches for youth with diabetes or at risk for it?

It advocates for balanced diets like the Mediterranean diet and reducing ultra processed foods and sugary beverages.

Q: 3. How can healthcare providers support families in making sustainable dietary changes?

The review examines the risks, benefits, and need for close supervision when considering these diets for youth.

Unlock the Secret to Healthy Eating for Kids with Diabetes—Why Balance Beats Restriction Every Time!

D-coding the Article - Low-Carbohydrate Diets in Children and Adolescents with or at Risk for Diabetes

Published Date:

01/10/2023

Published By:

Gregory P Forlenza , Jennifer McVean, Roy W Beck, Colleen Bauza, et al.

Approved By:

To be

Decoded By:

Asra H. Ahmed
MBA, PGCE in Assessment Learning disability, Diabesties Foundation

10 mins to read

Word Wizard

Carbohydrate restriction

Low-carbohydrate diets

Pediatric dietary guidance

Restrictive eating

Vital Nuggets

The review highlights differences in moderate, low, and very low-carbohydrate diets and their safety concerns.
This research examines research on low-carb diets for managing type 1 diabetes, obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes in youth.
Provide pediatricians with actionable advice on counseling families about carbohydrate management.
Carbohydrates are like rocket fuel for children’s bodies—carbohydrates power their growth, energy, and even their learning. Cutting carbs too much? That’s like trying to fly a rocket with no gas!
Low-carb diets are used for weight loss and better glycemic control in adults, but evidence in youth is limited.
Restrictive diets may impact growth, nutritional balance, and mental health in youth.

Summary Snap
Shots

Low-carbohydrate diets are not broadly recommended for children and teens with diabetes due to risks like growth issues, nutritional deficiencies, and disordered eating. Instead, balanced diets rich in whole foods and low in sugary drinks are encouraged, with any dietary changes supervised by a healthcare team to ensure safety and proper growth.

Prime Insight

Let’s dive into why these strict diets might not be the best fit for our young ones and how we can approach their health with balance and joy.

Rising obesity in youth is linked to more prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and increasing type 1 diabetes cases. This report examines the cautious use of low-carb diets for managing these conditions in children and teens.

Current Diets among youth are high carbohydrate intake (51% of calories on average). Excessive added sugar (>20% of calories) and low dietary fiber (14g/day vs. 26g recommended).

Most carbohydrate sources are ultra-processed foods.

Current guidelines recommend balanced diets for children with type 1 diabetes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 45-65% of energy from carbs, prioritizing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes and to limit added sugars to <10%.

Low-carb diets may benefit adults, but their safety and effectiveness in children are unclear, with potential risks like poor sustainability, nutritional deficiencies, and mental health concerns linked to restrictive eating.

Among children living with type 1 diabetes low-carb diets may reduce insulin needs and blood sugar swings, they come with risks like poor growth, disordered eating, and potential health complications in children.

Current guidelines recommend balanced diets for children with type 1 diabetes, and very low-carb diets are not generally endorsed due to limited research and safety concerns.

Families may understand sugar is unhealthy but need help identifying it.

Pediatricians can assist with reducing sugary drinks, making healthier choices, and setting small, achievable dietary goals, supported by regular follow-ups.

Balanced diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, along with reducing processed foods and sugary drinks, are recommended for managing diabetes in youth. Low-carb diets need caution and supervision, with pediatricians guiding healthy eating, exercise, and access to nutrition programs.

“Low-carbohydrate (less than 26% energy) and very low-carbohydrate (20–50 g) diets are not recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, except under close diabetes care team supervision using safety guidelines.”