Students with type 1 diabetes can eat any food their classmates can. However, food and drink choices can affect their glucose levels and how they manage their diabetes.
This short video explains how different foods affect blood glucose levels and how insulin helps manage these changes.
Foods students with type 1 diabetes can eat
Students with type 1 diabetes should follow the same dietary guidelines that are recommended for all people – nutritious food that is low in saturated fat, salt and added sugar, and plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean protein and dairy.
Students with type 1 diabetes can still enjoy high sugar foods in moderation, the same as everyone else. However, there are some extra things to consider when it comes to food and managing type 1 diabetes.
Carb counting
All foods containing carbs affect glucose levels and the amount of carb in different foods varies. Many foods and drinks contain carbs. Some common foods that contain carbs include bread, potato, pasta, rice, cereal, fruit, milk, yoghurt, cakes, biscuits, pies, chips and lollies.
All students using an insulin pump and most students using multiple daily injections will need to know how many carbs are in the food they are about to eat.
Carbs can be measured using “grams”, “portions”, “exchanges or “serves”. Younger or recently diagnosed students may bring their food to school labelled with the amount of carb it contains. Older students may count the carbs that they are about to eat and drink at school and then calculate how much insulin they need to take. Find out more about carbs here.
Food and insulin
The amount of insulin the student takes will change depending on how much carb they are eating. Diabetes health professionals educate families on how to count carbs and determine insulin doses.
The method a student uses to count their carbs and whether staff need to oversee food intake at mealtimes will be included in the student’s diabetes management plan. The student’s family and diabetes team should also provide guidance, particularly when the student is too young to read or count.
Activities involving food
Students with type 1 diabetes do not need to be left out from activities that involve food unless advised by their parent, carer or diabetes health professional. Notifying families in advance that food may be offered, for example a school celebration or cooking class, provides time to plan treatment changes so the student can be included if they choose to.
Eating times
Timing of snacks and meals is important for students with type 1 diabetes. Missing or delaying food can cause a low glucose level. Talk to the student’s parent or carer about the school’s break times. The student’s diabetes health professionals may be able to adjust their insulin regimen to suit school break times if required. Student-specific advice around meal and snack times should be included in the student’s diabetes management plan.
Coeliac disease
Some students with type 1 diabetes will also have coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body becomes intolerant to gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oat products. This means that students who have coeliac disease need to follow a gluten free diet, including foods used for hypo treatment. Student-specific support needs will be included in their diabetes management plan.
Common reasonable adjustments
Schools might consider the following reasonable adjustments relating to food for a student with type 1 diabetes:
- Allow extra time before snacks or meals to check glucose level, count carbs and determine insulin dose.
- Supervise a younger student to make sure food and/or drink provided from home has been eaten (reducing risk of a low glucose level), or if not, make sure the diabetes management plan has been followed.
- Allow food or drink in class.
- Communicate with parents/carers in advance of activities or celebrations that involve food.
Last updated: September 2025