Carbohydrate and diabetes
Carbohydrate is turned into glucose and used by the body for energy and therefore is the nutrient you most need to monitor when you have diabetes. When you eat food that contain carbohydrate, your body breaks down the carbohydrate almost entirely into glucose. Your body's cells absorb this glucose and convert it into the energy you need for everything that you do, from voluntary actions—such as walking, talking, and eating—to involuntary actions—such as the beating of your heart, digestion, and breathing. Your liver and muscles store extra carbohydrate as glycogen, which can be released as glucose when extra energy is needed.
Carbohydrate also plays an essential role in the normal functioning of your brain, nervous system, and red blood cells. These cells can use only glucose as fuel. Other cells can use fat for energy.
Some types of carbohydrate (dietary fiber) help prevent constipation and regulate the absorption of simple sugars.
Of the three major nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), carbohydrate has the greatest effect on blood sugar level. Since you have diabetes, you have to carefully monitor the amount of carbohydrate that you eat every day. But you should not overly restrict or eliminate carbohydrate from your diet.
Foods that contain carbohydrate
Food groups that contain a significant amount of carbohydrate include:
- Milk.
- Fruit.
- Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables (includes vegetables such as corn, potatoes, peas, winter squash, and yams).
Table sugar or sweets also supply carbohydrate in your diet. Nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots contain a small amount of carbohydrate.
Counting carbohydrate
Carbohydrate counting is a tool that can be used to add flexibility to your meal plans. It is one method that dietitians use to help people determine the number of carbohydrate servings they should have at each meal. These serving recommendations can then be translated into food choices. A carbohydrate serving is also called a carbohydrate choice.
These basic principles will help you better understand the concept of carbohydrate counting:
- The same amount of carbohydrate should be consumed at the various meals and snacks from day to day.
- A meal plan generally includes about 3 to 4 carbohydrate choices at meals and 1 to 2 choices at snack times. These numbers vary based on calorie needs, activity level, and other individual considerations. Talk with a registered dietitian about the appropriate numbers for you.
- One carbohydrate choice equals 15 grams of carbohydrate, which equals one serving from the milk, fruit, or starch groups.
- Meals and snacks should be eaten at about the same time each day.
- A carbohydrate choice that is not eaten at one meal cannot be carried over to another meal or snack.
| 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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