Diabetes

Carbohydrate Counting

What are carbohydrates or carbs? Carbs are one of the sources of energy in the form of food. The other two are proteins and fats. With the right balance of carbs working with the insulin in your body your blood glucose level will stay within your target range. That is where counting carbs comes in (All about carbohydrate counting, 2009).

How many carbs should you be getting?

45-60 grams of carbs per meal

15-20 grams of carbs per snack 

(All about carbohydrate counting, 2009)

What are examples of carbs?

• Breads, crackers, tortillas, muffins

• Cold cereals and cooked cereals

• Pastas, rice, barley, grits

• Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn. and peas

• Pretzels and potato chips

• Beans such as kidney beans and pinto beans

• Fruit and fruit juice

• Milk

• Candy, ice cream, cookies, honey, pudding, and syrup (All about carbohydrate counting, 2009)

This is not a complete list. To have a balanced meal you must also include protein such as lean meat and a non-starchy vegetable and healthy fat into your diet (All about carbohydrate counting, 2009)

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