Pediatric Endocrinology: Additional Resources

Camp 5210 is for children age 7 to 17 with type 2 diabetes, or at risk of type 2 diabetes, and their parents or guardians. Your doctor can confirm your eligibility. “5210” refers to the ways to live healthier to control type 2 diabetes.

• Eat 5 or more fruits and veggies a day
• Limit television, computer and video game time to 2 or less hours a day
• Get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day
• Cut sugary beverages to 0 

Our care team will work closely with you and your family to recommend and develop healthy eating guidelines.    

 Eat foods low in saturated and trans fats. Choose low-fat dairy products like skim or 1% milk or lower fat cheeses. Use lean meats, fish and poultry. Cook with vegetable oils such as canola, peanut and olive oil. Check the list of ingredients on snack foods to see what fats are used in preparation.

 Add more fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your meals. Eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Aim for at least three servings of whole-grain foods per day. Include more fiber in your child’s diet. A good rule of thumb for amount of fiber is your child’s age plus five grams of fiber. Check food labels on foods and snacks for grams of fiber. Most fresh fruits and vegetables contain 2 to 3 grams fiber.

 

Limit carbohydrate intake to appropriate ranges for your child’s age and activity level. Type 1 diabetes is not associated with your child becoming overweight, but recent U.S. trends show a dynamic rise in childhood obesity. Extra carbohydrate foods not needed for energy will be saved as fat for later use. Prevent obesity by watching the calorie content of foods eaten at meals and snacks.

Snacks are often extra carbohydrate and calories without much nutritional value. Limit snacks to 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrate between meals. Low or no-carb snacks include:

• Celery with peanut butter
• Celery with tuna salad
• Cheese sticks
• Cheese with a few apple slices
• Cream cheese or squeeze cheese on cucumber slices
• Deviled eggs
• Dill pickles and cheddar cheese
• Hard boiled eggs
• Lettuce rollups – roll lunch meat, egg salad or other filling along with chopped or grated veggies in lettuce leaves
• Lunch meat rollups – roll cheese or veggies in lunch meat
• Jerky (beef or turkey; try low-sugar versions)
• Pepperoni chips – microwave pepperoni slices until crisp – great with cheese and dips
• Raw veggies with spinach or other low-carb dip
• Spread bean dip, spinach dip or other low-carb dips or spreads on lunch meat or lettuce, and then roll it up
• Sugar-free Jell-O
• Sunflower seeds or other seeds
• Trail mix

Call immediately if your child:

• Has been vomiting for more than six hours (with or without ketones)
• Has a change in mental status (confusion, difficult to arouse)
• Has difficulty breathing

Call your diabetes care team if your child:

• Is ill and urine ketones are moderate to large (blood ketones are 1.5 mmol/L or above)
• Is ill and blood glucose tests are consistently above 250 and not coming down
• Is vomiting and blood glucose levels are below 70
• Is vomiting and unable to keep anything in your stomach or if there is persistent diarrhea (with or without ketones)

Prepare for a trip by following these guidelines.

• Schedule immunizations early. Get immunized at least one month before departure. We recommend Park Nicollet Travel Clinic.
• Review your treatment plan. Make sure your diabetes is in good control. Ask your healthcare team how to adjust insulin if crossing more than four time zones.
• If your travels include increased activity, consider lowering your insulin doses by 10 to 20 percent.
• Have a sick day plan. Pack sick day supplies and snacks.
• While not required, it’s helpful to have a doctor’s letter noting diabetes, insulin supplies, insulin pump/CGM, syringes and lancets, as well as a medication list, noting prescription doses and allergies.
• Carry your insurance card in case you need to seek medical assistance. Call your insurance company to learn about coverage while traveling, especially when going out of the country.
• Always wear a medical ID that states you have diabetes.
• Bring extra supplies, insulin, syringes, pen needles, pump supplies and test strips. Pack an extra week’s worth of what you anticipate using. Pump supplies are not available in pharmacies.
• Pack comfortable shoes. Vacations are not the time to break in new shoes. 
• If traveling by air, place diabetes supplies in separate bags for screening. Keep all diabetes supplies in your carry-on bag. Do not check.
• Drink plenty of fluids. The TSA website states, “Any liquid purchased in the secure areas after you process through a security checkpoint, is allowed aboard your plane.” 
• Do not store insulin in your hotel refrigerator. Because of poor temperature control, it may freeze and would then need to be thrown away.

Items to pack in your carry-on luggage

• Blood glucose meter, test strips, lancet device, lancets, extra batteries for meter and pump
• Extra insulin and supplies
• Glucagon kit
• Insulin storage kit if the temperature will be warmer than 86 degrees or below freezing – Frio is available through Park Nicollet Health & Care Store and www.diabetesfrio.com.
• Insurance card; emergency numbers of your doctor and family
• Ketostix
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen and Band-Aids
• Plenty of snacks – a mini meal of snacks in case flights are delayed, as well as snacks to treat low blood glucoses (crackers, dried fruit, granola bars, glucose tabs)