Diabetes can affect young and old alike. It is important to keep blood sugar regulated. For children, here are some friendly recipes that won’t spike the blood sugar.

There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in childhood. For this type of diabetes, the body doesn’t produce any insulin at all.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. It is used to transport glucose from the blood to the cells where it is used as fuel. In response to high levels of glucose in the blood, it is produced and shipped off so that glucose can ride along with it.

Type 2 diabetes is often called insulin-resistant diabetes. It usually occurs in adults, but children can develop it too if conditions are right. Either your body stops responding to the insulin that is present, or you aren’t producing enough to handle the glucose in your blood. Type 2 diabetes is often a complication of obesity. The amount of glucose in the system overwhelms the body and it will stop responding to glucose, or insulin levels will be deficient.

In both types of diabetes, the concern is for the levels of sugar in the blood. Too much glucose can damage the organs and lead to even more serious health problems. In order to keep blood sugar at manageable levels, it has to be checked several times a day.

For those with Type 1 diabetes, the amount of insulin needed to lower that glucose level depends on the glucose number. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be needed to move glucose, but often the levels are managed with medication and diet.

Recipes for Children with Diabetes

What should be watched is carbohydrates, which are broken down by the body into sugars. These sugars enter the bloodstream to await pick-up by insulin. Foods that keep glucose levels steady are more desirable.

Tips to make recipes diabetes friendly:

* Start with their favorite recipes. Use different substitutions to lower the carb count to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

* Use brown rice instead of pasta. Shrimp or chicken goes just as well with rice as with pasta.

* Try low-carb pastas. There are several on the market in many varieties besides spaghetti.

* Make your own sauces. Store-bought sauces contain a lot of hidden sugars. Get the children involved and teach them how to make spaghetti sauce, pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce and others from scratch using wholesome ingredients and less carbs.

* Add spices. Instead of adding sugar, try using different spices to jazz up foods. For instance, lower the sugar amount in muffin recipes and add applesauce and other flavors such as cinnamon, nutmeg and citrus zest.

* Check labels. It is often healthier to start meals from scratch then trying to use prepared meals. Children learn to cook with fresh foods and appreciate their flavors without adding sugar or extra carbs.

Diabetic children can can still enjoy their favorite foods with a few substitutions.