Carbohydrates and diabetes
Diabetes can be a nasty disease. Constant monitoring is needed, it can cause heart disease, vision loss, poor circulation with possible limb amputation, and more. In short, there is nothing to waste time with.
Our bodies need energy, and carbohydrates are the fuel that creates the energy our bodies run on. Control your carbohydrates and you will be able to control your diabetes. That is why diabetics have to monitor portion sizes, meal frequency, and count the calories they eat.
So what are carbs anyway? Carbohydrates or (carbohydrates) are glucose. Sugar, starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, cereal-based foods like bread, and cereals are all “high” carbohydrate foods. Dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and many drinks can contain carbohydrates. (Just as a side note, it used to be that sugar and glucose were the only way to bring diabetics out of diabetic shock when they passed out … Now it has been discovered that “milk,” the peanut butter added to glucose tablets enough sugar in the bloodstream to prevent diabetic shock).
After ingesting any type of carbohydrate, it breaks down into glucose and enters the bloodstream. Protein and fat will not have as much of an impact on blood sugar as carbohydrates.
Carbohydrate counting is to more consistently control the amount of glucose entering the bloodstream to stabilize blood sugar levels. Everyone starts with the basic carb counting, no matter how long they’ve had diabetes or what their ultimate carb counting goal is.
Simple carbohydrate counting
Try to eat the same amount of carbohydrates at the same time every day. For example, if you eat 4 carbohydrate options, or 60 grams of carbohydrate, for breakfast, you should eat that amount for breakfast every day.
By maintaining a constant carbohydrate intake, we can keep the blood sugar level under control. That doesn’t mean you have to eat the same thing at every meal every day. Vary your food selection, just keep the same amount of carbs as the day before.
Two ways of counting
Carbohydrates can be counted in two ways: by grams or by options. When working with carbohydrate options, remember: 1 carbohydrate option = 15 grams of carbohydrate.
How many carbohydrates should I eat?
Each person’s carbohydrate needs vary based on factors such as height, weight, age, activity levels, and medication. The following is a GUIDELINE, in a general guideline !:
3 to 4 options per meal (45 to 60 grams) for women
4 to 5 options per meal (60 to 75 grams) for men
1 to 2 options per sandwich (15 to 30 grams)
If you need help determining your carbohydrate needs, see a dietitian.
Read the nutritional information, they are there for a reason.
The Nutrition Facts label on food packaging tells you what you need to count carbohydrates. Look at the SERVING SIZE and TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES (in grams):
The serving size is based on one serving, not the entire package. Multiply the number of servings by the total grams of carbohydrates and you will know how many carbohydrates you are eating. Sugar is included in the total carbohydrates. All carbohydrates raise blood glucose in similar ways.