Diabetes: Counting carbs if you use insulin
What is carbohydrate counting?
Carbohydrate counting is a recommended method of meal planning for people who have diabetes. It involves matching insulin to the grams of carbohydrate in the foods you eat to keep your blood sugar level in your target range.
Carbohydrate—the body's main source of glucose—affects blood sugar more than any other nutrient. All forms of carbohydrate increase your blood sugar level. Foods that contain carbohydrate include:
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Milk and yogurt.
- Starchy foods (such as breads, cereals, dry beans, and vegetables such as potatoes and corn).
- Sugary foods (such as candy and cakes).
Contrary to what you may have heard, you can eat sugar when you have diabetes. However, if foods that contain sugar make up a large part of your diet, you are probably not eating enough of other, more nutritious foods.
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Which of these foods contain carbohydrate?
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: February 10, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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