meal train for family with a newly diagnosed child with diabetes

[Anonymous]

Child also has peanut and fish allergy. What should I bring them that will be easy for the parents to figure out the carb count? My go to for meal trains is white chicken chili, cornbread, veggie plate, and dessert. Not sure this is a good one in this case.

[Anonymous]

Roast chicken with fixings on the side.

[Anonymous]

Do they even really want a meal train?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they even really want a meal train?

Yeah this does not seem like a time they would want food made by others...

[Anonymous]

Why would you do a meal train in this situation? Not trying to snarky, but it’s an autoimmune long term condition. It’s not like a phase they go through like bringing a baby home, or breaking a leg or doing back surgery, where it is temporary and there are challenges to time and mobility. Unless the meal train is not related to diabetes diagnosis, and you’re just mentioning it so meal suggestions take the diabetes into account.

In any case, it’s nice of you to do it. Here are some suggestions for dinners that work with someone with diabetes:
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-healthy-quick-meals

https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/search-results.html?keywords=dinner

https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/13106/easy-make-ahead-diabetes-friendly-dinners/

Roasts, fish (like Costco salmon with butter) that they need to put in oven could work.

[Anonymous]

^^ disregard the salmon sauggestion

[Anonymous]

I don't think a meal is needed in this situation. Just a phone call telling your friend you're thinking of them.

[Anonymous]

White chicken chili and the veggie plate are fine. Replace the cornbread with a salad. Skip the dessert.

[Anonymous]

I agree I think a meal train is an odd choice. Its likely the child needs to be on a specific diet right off the bat. Have you spoken to the parents?

FWIW, when my child had a seizure and unexpectedly diagnosed with epilepsy we were on alert 24/7, but I would have felt super awkward if my friends started a meal train.

[Anonymous]

Extremely bad idea.

Give them a diabetes cookbook if you want. They need to learn how to make diabetes specific meals themselves and make good nutrition choices. I am sure my Mac and Cheese casserole will do more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extremely bad idea.

Give them a diabetes cookbook if you want. They need to learn how to make diabetes specific meals themselves and make good nutrition choices. I am sure my Mac and Cheese casserole will do more harm than good.

Cookbook is a good idea. People here might have suggestions on a good one for families. If you wanted, you could make a recipe from the book and include it.

[Anonymous]

I have a T1D kid. I would find out the kid's favorite meal and make that but slightly altered if it's a carb-heavy meal. Seriously.

There's so much new information you're taking in when they're first diagnosed that it is overwhelming. Also, the kid is probably overwhelmed with learning to examine the nutritional content of foods to count carbs, etc.

T1D isn't like T2D. There are no foods that are 100% off limits. The bad stuff, like chips and processed foods, can still be eaten, but in moderation.

You can make the healthiest meal for a T1D within their carb limit for that meal and they may still spike. T1D is an evil game to have to play for life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a T1D kid. I would find out the kid's favorite meal and make that but slightly altered if it's a carb-heavy meal. Seriously.

There's so much new information you're taking in when they're first diagnosed that it is overwhelming. Also, the kid is probably overwhelmed with learning to examine the nutritional content of foods to count carbs, etc.

T1D isn't like T2D. There are no foods that are 100% off limits. The bad stuff, like chips and processed foods, can still be eaten, but in moderation.

You can make the healthiest meal for a T1D within their carb limit for that meal and they may still spike. T1D is an evil game to have to play for life.

OP here. Thank you! I did not start the meal train - I'm simply contributing to it bc the family is overwhelmed with the new way of life they are coming to terms with. I will ask about their favorite meal. Good idea!

[Anonymous]

I would give them a gift card to a restaurant or something rather than food. I understand OP didn't start the meal train, but why contribute to bad ideas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a T1D kid. I would find out the kid's favorite meal and make that but slightly altered if it's a carb-heavy meal. Seriously.

There's so much new information you're taking in when they're first diagnosed that it is overwhelming. Also, the kid is probably overwhelmed with learning to examine the nutritional content of foods to count carbs, etc.

T1D isn't like T2D. There are no foods that are 100% off limits. The bad stuff, like chips and processed foods, can still be eaten, but in moderation.

You can make the healthiest meal for a T1D within their carb limit for that meal and they may still spike. T1D is an evil game to have to play for life.

Since the child was just diagnosed though I would bet the parents are going to be super picky about what he is eating at this point and just won't risk anything they haven't personally prepared or seen prepared.
That's why I don't think it's the right time for a meal train. Just because someone starts one doesn't mean it has to be contributed too.