Diabetes at Camp 2025-Diabetes at Camp: Carbohydrate Counting and Insulin Dosing

Diabetes at Camp: Carbohydrate Counting and Insulin Dosing

Pdf Summary

The "Diabetes at Camp: Carbohydrate Counting and Insulin Dosing" module provides guidance on carbohydrate counting and insulin dosing for children with diabetes attending camp. It highlights key objectives such as identifying carbohydrate-rich foods, understanding their impact on glucose levels, and accurately estimating carbohydrate content for insulin dosing.<br /><br />Carbohydrates are found in foods like bread, starchy vegetables, milk, yogurt, fruit, and sweets, and are often measured in grams. Most carbohydrates, except fiber, eventually convert into glucose in the bloodstream, influencing blood sugar levels. For individuals without diabetes, insulin naturally manages blood sugar. However, those with type 1 diabetes need to manually dose insulin to manage their glucose levels due to a lack of insulin production.<br /><br />Insulin dosing involves an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, determining how much insulin is needed for specific carbohydrate intake. For example, a child might use 1 unit of insulin for every 15 grams of carbohydrates consumed.<br /><br />The module also addresses the challenges of managing very low-carb diets at camp. It suggests strategies like discussing dietary accommodations with parents and ensuring safe handling of low-glucose situations. For carbohydrate counting, camp staff can use resources like printed guides, nutrition labels, and educational activities to help campers estimate their carbohydrate intake and corresponding insulin needs.<br /><br />Interactive learning methods are emphasized to engage campers, such as using food models, guessing carb counts, and creating balanced meals. Overall, the module underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between carbohydrate intake and insulin dosing to maintain stable blood glucose levels for diabetic campers. Having a dietitian available is recommended for optimal support, but alternative resources are available for training in carb counting skills.

Keywords

carbohydrate counting

insulin dosing

diabetes management

type 1 diabetes

glucose levels

insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio

low-carb diets

nutrition labels

interactive learning

dietitian support