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Carbohydrate counting
One way people with diabetes can manage their food intake to keep their blood glucose as close to normal as possible is by calculating how many grams of carbohydrate they eat. Carbohydrate tends to have the greatest effect on blood glucose.
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The balance between the amount of carbohydrate you eat and the available insulin determines how much your blood glucose level goes up after meals or snacks. To help control your blood glucose, you need to know what foods contain carbohydrate, the size of a "serving" of different foods, and how many carbohydrate servings to eat each day. There's no magic number of daily servings that's right for everyone; instead, it is important to work with a dietitian to determine what will work for you. By checking your blood glucose, you can see whether changes are needed. If your levels are too high, for example, you may need to eat fewer carbohydrate servings, be more physically active, or work with your diabetes team to adjust your medications.
Foods that contain carbohydrate include grains, pasta, and rice; breads, crackers, and cereals; starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas, and winter squash; legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils; fruits and fruit juices; milk and yogurt; and sweets and desserts. Nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli, salad greens, and green beans are very low in carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate counting can be used by anyone with diabetes, not just people taking insulin. This method can ensure that the right amount of carbohydrate is eaten at each meal and snack. Likewise, insulin and medications may be adjusted based on what the person wants to eat. For example, if you want to eat a much larger meal, this approach can help you determine how much extra insulin to take.
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