Q: I notice that my child's school canteen is only allowed to sell deep fried foods once a week. Does that mean my child with Type 1 diabetes should not be allowed any fried foods at other times?
 

A: The healthy recommendation is to eat deep fried foods no more than twice a week. Deep fried foods tend to be excessively high in fats, especially saturated fats. Although fatty foods do not cause an immediate rise in blood sugars, high fat foods tend to be high in energy also, which can contribute to unwanted weight gain. Try to limit deep fried foods for your child. Instead, choose food prepared by other lower fat cooking methods such as steaming, grilling, baking, and stir-frying.

Q: My child has Type 1 diabetes and she has been invited to her classmate's 10th birthday party. I don't want her to go, but that would make her sad. Should I call the birthday girl's mum to ask for a special menu for my daughter?
 

A: It is important to ensure that your daughter does not feel that she is very different from the other children. While her dietary regimen in terms of the total amount of carbohydrates eaten at each meal / snack time should 'match' the insulin regimen, it is all right to indulge every now and then, if her blood glucose has been under good control. As each child has different energy and growth needs and is on different insulin regimens, it would be more appropriate to contact her regular diabetes dietitian to ascertain the total carbohydrate portions she is on for growth and development. The dietitian would be able to advise accordingly. It is an excellent idea to contact the birthday girl's mother to pre-empt her about your daughter's diabetes. Alternatively, offer to play chaperone at the party so that you can help to monitor her food intake but do this discreetly.

This issue's resident dietitian is Gladys Wong, Chief Dietitian at Alexandra Hospital.