[BEBE]

Our 6yr old has just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Just wondering if any one else has gone thru this with there guate tot?

Diabetes runs in my family too, so I am somewhat familiar with it. My mom was diagnosed about 5 yrs ago with type 2.

We are trying to get in to see a pediatric endogrinologist.

[kerriv]

I don't have any personal experience but I think many of our children will be at fairly high risk due to their indigenous ancestry, much like Native Americans in this country. Sorry you're having to deal with it. Hopefully you will be able to control it with diet and exercise instead of medication.

[Mary Mulcahy]

You know Kerry is right, since most of our children have some mayan/native American blood, they are a high risk.
One things that increases the chances of this is being overweight with a large percentage of belly fat. Also our American diet is not good. In addition to seeing the ped endocrinologist, I strongly recommend you see the Dietitian for diet modifications. OUr children love to eat what is not so good.

The diet should be
High in Complex Carbohydrates:
Fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural state:
melons, berries, vegables such as broccoli, dark green and leaf vegetables.
Skim or low fat milk and yogurt products.
Less white carbs and more whole grains. Cut down on sugar, white pastas.
Lean meats and smaller portions and as little saturated fats. Use olive oil.
Encourage physical activity every day.
Good Luck.
Mary

[guatparents2be]

Originally Posted by Mary Mulcahy

You know Kerry is right, since most of our children have some mayan/native American blood, they are a high risk.
One things that increases the chances of this is being overweight with a large percentage of belly fat. Also our American diet is not good. In addition to seeing the ped endocrinologist, I strongly recommend you see the Dietitian for diet modifications. OUr children love to eat what is not so good.

The diet should be
High in Complex Carbohydrates:
Fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural state:
melons, berries, vegables such as broccoli, dark green and leaf vegetables.
Skim or low fat milk and yogurt products.
Less white carbs and more whole grains. Cut down on sugar, white pastas.
Lean meats and smaller portions and as little saturated fats. Use olive oil.
Encourage physical activity every day.
Good Luck.
Mary

i agree that a non standard american diet is very important for all kids, maybe especially indigenous american kids.

that said, i would recommend a book to you called "the diabetes solution" by richard bernstein. he has a slightly different take on managing diabetes. i've seen folks managing type 2 diabetes for years switch to this approach and get off of medications completely (note if the person's pancreas is not making insulin, obviously they will still need to use insulin.)

with the right care if it is really type 2 diabetes (and not type 1) it may even be able to be reversed.

hang in there!

(obviously that wasn't meant to be medical advice...just an idea)

[joepegcamp]

I'm a type 2 Diabetic. For me, a low carb diet works wonders. I've managed to stay off medication by following a lower-carb diets and exercise.

My son doesn't have Type 2--and I don't think he's anywhere close (yet)--but his pediatrician in Boston recommended that I keep his refined carbs to a bare minimum. They were worried about his height-to-weight ratios.

Thank God they caught it early for your Princess.

I think the gals are right: our children are prone to this disease.

Many blessings to you.

[mommytoEli]

no...thankfully eli tested out just fine a few months ago when i suspected this is why he was peeing so often and so thirsty all the time. i didn't realize he was at more of a risk than others though, so i'm glad i recently had him tested before i read this thread or i might be freaking out right now. lol.

Originally Posted by guatparents2be

i agree that a non standard american diet is very important for all kids, maybe especially indigenous american kids.

we recently began following a VERY non standard american diet....and i could not be happier. i really thought it would be hard for my 3 and 5 year olds to switch over, but they have been amazing.....it is such a switch in our lives that when we go to the store i have to hear, "can we PLEASE get an artichoke, please, they are my favorite!!!!!!" rather than begging for junk.....lol....music to my ears. i feel like my kids know more about health, healthy choices, and good foods than ever before. don't get me wrong, they still like their cookies, i've just learned to make them differently......no more refined sugar here!

[guatparents2be]

Originally Posted by joepegcamp

I'm a type 2 Diabetic. For me, a low carb diet works wonders. I've managed to stay off medication by following a lower-carb diets and exercise.

My son doesn't have Type 2--and I don't think he's anywhere close (yet)--but his pediatrician in Boston recommended that I keep his refined carbs to a bare minimum. They were worried about his height-to-weight ratios.

Thank God they caught it early for your Princess.

I think the gals are right: our children are prone to this disease.

Many blessings to you.

The Bernstein diet is a VERY low carb diet with the idea that if you don't eat very many carbs your blood sugar won't go up, you won't have to make additional insulin and further burn out your pancreas or make your insulin receptors less sensitive.

Congratulations, I'm always so happy to see people managing this disease with lifestyle and diet changes!!

[jimanddarla]

She is lucky to have a mommy that is familiar with type 2 diabetes. You understand how serious it is, but how normal of a life your girl can lead if you both treat her illness right.