28: When Your Child is “Sneaking” Food

Sweet Talk for Parents of Kids with Type One Diabetes

For many parents, with or without T1D, food triggers so much baggage and confusion. On the one hand, we want to serve what’s healthy and limit “junk” food. We also don’t want to be overly restrictive: We know that as children get older, it’s going to be up to them to start making their own smart choices. And if we never give them chips or ice cream, there’s a good chance they’re going to opt for that when they finally have the chance.

And how much more complicated is this when we fold type 1 into the mix? We want our kids to have good glycemic control – and it often feels like that’s about restricting food choices. How’s a parent going to win this one?

Together with fellow T1D mom Annie, JoAnne talks through a question written in from Health Food Mama in Detroit, who explains that she has started finding wrappers in her 9-year-old daughter’s room.

“She’s sneaking food,” writes Health Food Mama. “She also has high blood sugar often in a way that doesn't make sense. She’s eating junk. Most of the stuff I don’t even keep in the house - I think she’s getting it from friends in school.”

How do I encourage her to make good food choices?” she asks.

Here’s what JoAnne has to say:

“I hear this kind of question often because parents often have concerns about how their kids should be eating. With T1Dkids, it’s about keeping good glycemic control and not being too restrictive.”

This 9-year-old is feeding herself by getting her own food. What she is doing is eating without dosing, and not sneaking food. This is a really important distinction because sneaking makes it sound malicious and bad.

We don’t want to shame our children for feeding themselves. She is feeding herself and we need to figure out how to dose for it.”

How to make all foods are acceptable

Another important topic in this episode is how to eliminate the idea that there are good and bad foods. This is especially important in preventing eating disorders, which is a risk factor for people with type 1.

Not to mention that it’s human nature for children to crave or want more of foods that are considered forbidden. The remedy? Make all foods acceptable.

For Health Food Mama and other concerned parents facing this issue, the suggestion is to start stocking the pantry with some of the foods you find your child “sneaking.”

Say to your child: “You don’t have to sneak these foods. I see that you are eating this. It is now here in the pantry. We can eat them sometimes. This is not forbidden – it is a sometimes food.”

They get more choice in feeding themselves and as parents, we figure out how to dose for it.

For more on creating a balance with eating for your T1D kids, check out Sweet Talk’s free Sweet Talk Snack Course.

Sign up for my free The T1D Partner Toolbox webinar on May 17 at 5:30PT/8:30 ET.

Stay tuned for our next episode of the Sweet Talk podcast! Like, subscribe, and share!