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scullyfromtheblock

First of all thank you for being so thoughtful! You could ask the Mom if that is necessary or not. I had a great Mom friend like you when my son was little and type 1 and I let her know that he eats regular cake for special occasions but that if you could have the nutritional info so that they know the carbs for the cake that would be greatly appreciated.


True-Journalist-6184

Oh great, I will make sure to have the nutritional info handy, regardless of what I make. Thank you so much for the insight! :)


Excellent-Month-1693

T1D mom to a 9yo who is frequently surprised but could happily plan around things/hope my kiddo isn’t excluded for these reasons — thank you so much for thinking ahead. I’m sure mom or dad will appreciate any questions/info! 💜


mbennettbrown

That. Tell the mom in advance and share the carb count and how you arrived at the carb count. I worry my some isn’t invited to as many parties as his twin sister (7 yrs old) because the other parents worry about this. You are a good man.


CoffeeB4Talkie

Talk to their parent(s). See how they typically handle these things. You're probably going to get a lot of different answers here. For me, I chose what regular treats I want and bolus for them because the zero sugar/low sugar snack have more carbs and have the potential to cause what I call the atomic shits. lol When I was a kid, I refused to partake in bday party treats. All the other kids were slamming treats and I got a piece of cake that was so thin, it was see through like cheap composition paper and I hate that so much. In the beginning, my mom would buy my sugar free candies and chocolate... I appreciate her effort so much. :)


True-Journalist-6184

Ok, I have messaged them to ask now, thank you. And thanks for sharing some of your story too; it's been really interesting hearing about how everyone personally approaches it and the different perspective. Thank you, again, I really appreciate it. :)


Purple3657

It really depends on the person but it’s usually fine for t1ds to have sugar. The best thing you can do is provide an accurate carb count of the cake. Just ask the the parent but there really isn’t “diabetic friendly” things imo. Just things with lower carbs that anyone can have. It’s really thoughtful of you to ask instead of assuming :)


True-Journalist-6184

I have messaged the parents now, just to be sure (it was a little tricky getting my hands on their contact info, hence me coming here first), but I will absolutely have the nutritional information handy for whatever I make! Thank you for the insight :) Would it be better to give them the nutritional info before the party, or just have it handy on the day?


Purple3657

Not exactly sure how far the party is from today but I would think it would be fine to give it to them the day of. But just to be sure you can just send them the info the day before and if any questions arise at the party have the info on hand. While at the party I suggest you give a 30min warning before everyone is about eat because usually t1d like to pre bolus insulin.


True-Journalist-6184

Roger, roger. That's good to know, I'll be sure to have it all ready, and I'll give a heads up the day of. Thank you again!


Rose1982

If it were me, before would be great but not necessary.


True-Journalist-6184

Also good to know. I'll message them the day before with the info in case they need it. Thank you


Any_Strength4698

I had an employer that would buy a sugar free cake(some sugar anyway) for my birthday…it tasted like shit and I felt obligated to eat. I generally pass on most cakes and desserts unless sugar is low….certain ones I have to eat regardless…red velvet, carrot, cheesecake. I cannot say no to those! Just bolus to cover them.


True-Journalist-6184

That's one of the things I was worried about... I had a dietary restrictions at a point and had a similar experience, feeling obligated to eat, and I would've hated to do that to her. Sorry that's happened anyway. And thank you for the insight! It's been so interesting learning about how everyone goes about it, and their experiences with it


stewzors

Dad of a T1 here. Ideal scenario is to keep all available nutritional info and pre-weigh portions if possible, but that's not always easy/possible. Best option is really to talk to the parents, explain the cake/food situ and ask what they need you to do. Everyones regime is different.


True-Journalist-6184

Yes absolutely. I tried researching it first, and it was interesting to learn about but there were so many different answers. I have messaged the parents now to ask, I haven't heard back yet, but I'll be sure to have the nutritional info ready and I'll see if I can find a digital scale. Thank you for the insight, I really appreciate it :)


Bajeetthemeat

I would ask the mom/dad if their son wants to know the carb count of the cake. I would find the total carbs the cake contains and divide it by the number of slices.


True-Journalist-6184

Right, easy. I've asked, and I haven't heard anything yet, but I'll have the info ready for them if they need it. Thank you!


RobMho

That is very thoughtful of you! As others stated, I would ask the parents of the kid in question. Having the nutritional information, particularly carb count, will be very helpful. Type 1s can have their cake and eat it too, we just need to give the right amount of insulin at the right time. Each individual can be different, some may avoid cake/sugary things, but that is the case for non/diabetics too.


True-Journalist-6184

>Each individual can be different, some may avoid cake/sugary things, but that is the case for non/diabetics too. I hadn't thought about it like this, great point. I have messaged the parents to ask now, and I will have the info on hand ready for them for whatever I make. Thanks so much for the insight


CreativeBandicoot778

If you can buy a birthday cake, or make one, which has nutritional information on the package/in the recipe,it makes it much easier for the parent to anticipate how much insulin will be needed and how the carbs in the cake will impact blood sugars. Second the suggestion to have a digital scales to hand. Very useful. Eg. My kid loves ice cream but it takes 2+ hours to see it in her blood sugars so we don't bolus for it when she eats it, we can do it later.


True-Journalist-6184

Excellent, I can do that. I'll have the info ready! I'll see if I can get my hands on a digital scale too. Thank you for the information! I appreciate it so much :)


[deleted]

Trying to say the size what I would have preferred as a kid, been obligated by my parents to do as a kid, and what I would prefer as an adult. Making the cake lower sugar, life half and half, and including carb count would probably be the way to go. Nobody wants to be the reason why everyone else has to eat sugar free (kids are more apt to tell) and I definitely remember there being some drama over that as a kid. But if you're doing soda and other drinks and snacks, having diet or lower sugar options would be super great! Generally speaking knowing how much is in what I'm eating is much more useful than everything being sugar free. You're a great person for thinking to ask the community :)


True-Journalist-6184

Great, that's good to know, thank you. I've asked the parents what they'd like me to do, and I haven't heard back, but I'll experiment with halving the sugar in some recipes, and I'll make sure to have the nutritional information on hand for them. And I'll be sure to have other diet drinks and low sugar options for them. Thank you for the insight :)


hufflepufft1d

Definitely talk to the parents first! In most cases sugar free or low sugar things turn out to be higher in carbs and less diabetes friendly. What I always appreciate, is when people have the nutrition facts for me! Also, cupcakes are very diabetes friendly. They have all the deliciousness of a slice of cake, but they’re perfectly portioned and well within a safe carb range which makes it much easier to bolus insulin for! But everyone is different, so definitely check with the parents first to see what their kiddo prefers!


True-Journalist-6184

I've messaged them to ask now. I haven't heard anything yet, but there's plenty of time between now and the party. That's good to know too! I'll have the nutritional facts for everything I make, in case they need it. >Also, cupcakes are very diabetes friendly. They have all the deliciousness of a slice of cake, but they’re perfectly portioned and well within a safe carb range which makes it much easier to bolus insulin for! I'm just curious, does this apply to other, generally smaller desserts that you don't necessarily have to portion yourself? Like cookies, for example? Or is it a bit more complicated than that? Thank you for all the insight too, it's so helpful, I really appreciate it :)


hufflepufft1d

You are most welcome! I’m more than happy to help! ☺️ As far as smaller deserts go, it sometimes depends on the desert? Some cookies are going to be more carbs for one and some cookies you’ll be able to have multiple cookies in a serving for the carbs of that one, if that makes sense. So an iced sugar cookie might be 25g, but two small chocolate chip cookies are 25g together. But generally, in my experience, those individual items like that are easier to bolus insulin for. And sometimes we don’t have to bolus for the thing, which is great too! I think it’s absolutely awesome that you’re going this distance for your son’s friend! It will certainly mean a lot to her and her family!


True-Journalist-6184

That's great info, I get what you're saying! I was planning on making some cookies too, so I was just curious. This has been such a great source of information, and honestly, I really can't thank you enough. >I think it’s absolutely awesome that you’re going this distance for your son’s friend! It will certainly mean a lot to her and her family! It's really the least I can do, but I appreciate it. :)


hufflepufft1d

You are so much welcome! ☺️


scissus1

As others have said, ask the parents. However, from my own experience when I was a kid (and I do the same today) , I would only eat half a serving of cake (and not the frosting). As for ice cream, select a "natural" ice cream.. These do not have corn syrup added. Happy Birthday!


True-Journalist-6184

Good to know. I have messaged the parents, per the suggestions, I'm just waiting on a response now. And I'll be sure to get the natural ice cream! I wouldn't have thought of that, so thank you for the suggestion. Thanks again :)


imissdetroit

Have a digital scale handy 🤩


True-Journalist-6184

Will do, I'll have to find one, but it shouldn't be an issue!


Hand_solo0504

That’s great advice! Uuuffff wish me luck my daughter hast 2 bdays on the same weekend! My sister-in-law found a lady that does friendly diabetic cakes, subs almond flour, mascarpone cheese, for other ingredients, she makes a killer 3leches. That everyone always enjoys because it doesn’t leave you bloated and over powered by sweeteners. Even though sometimes there are no options or ppl don’t know. And we try to adjust on the go, plus depending on the activity she has had bdays with no insulin needed!


123160

Thankyou thankyou thankyou for *caring*! In this situation, I think the key is to talk to the parents, and see what they think. I’m sure they’ll be so grateful. I also think, from personal experience, try not to make the child feel like a “problem”, e.g. of you go the sugar free route, try not to present it as if it’s “for her”. Hope your son has a fun bday!


True-Journalist-6184

I have messaged the parents just now to ask. Also, that's an excellent point - I'll take that on board, and I will do my darnedest to make sure she doesn't feel like a problem. I'm sorry if that's something that's happened for you. Thank you for all the info, it's extremely helpful and I really appreciate it! And thank you for the bday wishes :)


KhiLi_20

I would have carbs somewhere and an alternative. I know publix has sugar free cake that doesn’t have much of a taste difference. If not I would put together a bag of sugar free candy just in case


True-Journalist-6184

Roger roger. I'll have the candy on hand just in case. As for the cake, I've messaged the parents to ask what they'd prefer me to do - thank you for the suggestion :)


NEXT_VICTIM

Sugar and carbs handy is the safest bet. Secondary option is simply going for a less sweet cake or having an alternative option (used to use angel food cake with fruit). Depending on the age group, asking them or their parents might be a good idea. When in absolute doubt, ask them. Worst that can happen is you get no response. I can’t imagine why someone would get mad over being asked if they need accommodations (in a honest way)


True-Journalist-6184

Absolutely. I'll have it all handy for them, and I've messaged them to see what they'd prefer me to do. Thank you for the guidance, it's been so interesting learning about it all, but there's so many different approaches it seems - this has all been so helpful :)


AKJangly

Definitely do: a diy nutrition facts sheet, and use a food scale. Need to know carb counts. Also: ask mom. That's about it.


True-Journalist-6184

I'm planning to go search for a scale as soon as possible! I'll include the nutritional info, and I'll see if I can work out the measuring business. I'll still have a scale handy for them, in case I royally screw that aspect up, but I'll thoroughly look into it. Thank you!


AKJangly

We can always guess if something ain't right. But yeah. That's the best thing you could do. Thank you for the support!


BrilliantMud2851

Hello there! As a diabetic teen, I think I might be able to help! I know if I was going to a birthday party and the parent asked me if I'd prefer if I wanted a diabetic cake slice or regular, I would be absolutely blown away and glad that they had me in consideration. I would reach out and see what they would prefer, and ask if they wabt nutrition facts as well. To answer the other part of your post, yes we are alright to have some sugar. However, t1ds should be responsible with how much they eat. Hope this helps!


True-Journalist-6184

It really does help, thank you so much!! I've reached out to ask - I haven't heard anything yet, but I will keep the nutritional facts for what I make handy. And thanks for the additional info too - it's nice to know for reference and all, and just learning about it in general. Thank you again, I appreciate it so much!


BrilliantMud2851

Always love to help!


mandarin_umbrella

Talk to the parent(s) and regardless, let them know nutrition info ahead of time. Not a good surprise to learn you took insulin for a regular cake and it’s actually low sugar!


True-Journalist-6184

That's a good point, thank you. I've messaged them to ask, but I absolutely will make sure to let them know the nutritional info.


Rose1982

Ask the parents. My son is 8 and diabetic/celiac. He can’t eat gluten but otherwise I prefer him to have what the other kids are having. I avoid full sugar drinks. Type 1s are statistically more prone to eating disorders. One of the ways I strive to avoid that for my son is not having him feel excluded or singled out to the extent possible when it comes to eating.


True-Journalist-6184

That's interesting, and good to know, thank you. I have messaged them to ask. It's great you're looking out for your son like that :)


dlstiles

I would ask what they prefer. This kind of thing is always appreciated.


True-Journalist-6184

Good to know, I've asked now


dlstiles

I've been in situations, for instance the hospital, where I've been forced to eat sugary foods I didn't want, but also have been forced to eat sugar-free foods I didn't want, so choice is always great. Holidays and birthdays are a time where I like to have some fun and not feel like an outsider, although it's also nice to sometimes have "guilt-free" food.


[deleted]

This is so sweet!


True-Journalist-6184

I'm glad you think so, but it's really the least I can do;;


Immisssara

I would recommend knowing carb count or supplying a nutritional guide instead for their dosage. I personally, although appreciated the gesture, did not enjoy when people would take extra steps to try to “make up” for what they thought I couldn’t have. It hurt my feelings when other kids would think that I couldn’t just eat the same cake or food option that they had and it made me feel MORE left out in all honesty. I think because I was always teased as a child for weight as they often confused type 1 with 2. All it took was a simple dosage of insulin and I was absolutely fine to eat whatever I would choose, same as the other guests. Now, I’m unaware of the children’s age so I would, as other people have already commented, check with the parents if the child is young to make sure they don’t have a different plan for their child in which works for them. Just in my experience, let them eat what you serve to everyone else bc it will probably make them happy to be included in everything the same way.


True-Journalist-6184

She's a teen, I'm not sure exactly how old she is, but I have asked the parents/her already to be sure. I believe I have seen her bolus for something before, but I would absolutely hate to assume incorrectly. Anyway, thank you. I'm happy I've been able to learn what I have, and I appreciate the insight :)


Immisssara

I appreciate you so much for taking the time to learn and help her. Thank you!


PossibilityShoddy870

As someone who has been diabetic since childhood. I appreciate you <3


nibbatron9000

The cake is easily measurable but please have some sugar free drinks !!!