How many carbs should a person with diabetes consume per meal. What are the different types of carbohydrates and their impact on blood sugar. How can carb counting help manage diabetes effectively. What factors influence the ideal carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes.

Understanding Carbohydrates and Their Role in Diabetes Management

Carbohydrates play a crucial role in diabetes management, as they have the most significant impact on blood sugar levels among the three macronutrients. To effectively manage diabetes, it’s essential to understand the different types of carbohydrates and their effects on the body.

Types of Carbohydrates

There are three main types of carbohydrates:

• Sugars (simple carbohydrates)
• Starches (complex carbohydrates)
• Fiber (complex carbohydrates)

Sugars are simple carbohydrates that can be found naturally in foods like fruits, milk products, and honey, or added to processed foods such as candy. Starches and fiber are complex carbohydrates, with starches being found in foods like potatoes, corn, legumes, and whole grain products. Fiber, on the other hand, is present in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

Impact on Blood Sugar

Do all carbohydrates affect blood sugar equally? No, they don’t. While sugars and starches raise blood sugar levels, fiber doesn’t cause a significant increase and may even slow down the rise in blood sugar. This difference in impact is crucial for people with diabetes to understand when making food choices.

Recommended Carbohydrate Intake for Diabetes Management

Determining the ideal carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While traditional dietary guidelines recommended that 45-65% of daily calories come from carbohydrates, recent research and expert opinions suggest that a lower carbohydrate intake may be more beneficial for many people with diabetes.

Individualized Approach

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) now promotes an individualized approach to carbohydrate intake. This means that the optimal amount of carbs can vary from person to person, taking into account factors such as:

• Personal dietary preferences
• Metabolic goals
• Overall health status
• Lifestyle factors

Is there a specific carbohydrate limit for people with diabetes? While there’s no universal limit, some studies have shown that a severely restricted intake of less than 50 grams of carbs per day may produce dramatic results in blood sugar management. This approach, representing about 9-10% of daily calories on a 2,000-2,200 calorie diet, may even reduce or eliminate the need for insulin or diabetes medication in some cases.

Carb Counting: A Valuable Tool for Diabetes Management

Carb counting is an essential skill for people with diabetes to master. It involves tracking the number of carbohydrates consumed in each meal or snack, which helps in managing blood sugar levels more effectively.

Benefits of Carb Counting

Why is carb counting important for diabetes management? Carb counting allows individuals to:

1. Better predict blood sugar responses to meals
2. Adjust insulin doses more accurately (for those who use insulin)
3. Make informed food choices
4. Achieve better overall glycemic control

Net Carbs vs. Total Carbs

When counting carbs, some experts recommend focusing on net carbs rather than total carbs. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. This approach takes into account the fact that fiber doesn’t significantly impact blood sugar levels.

Factors Influencing Carbohydrate Needs in Diabetes

Several factors can influence the ideal carbohydrate intake for individuals with diabetes. Understanding these factors can help in developing a more personalized and effective diabetes management plan.

Physical Activity

How does exercise affect carbohydrate needs in diabetes? Physical activity can increase insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by muscles, potentially allowing for a higher carbohydrate intake without causing significant blood sugar spikes. Regular exercisers may need to adjust their carb intake to support their activity levels and prevent hypoglycemia.

Medication and Insulin Use

The type and dosage of diabetes medications, particularly insulin, can impact carbohydrate needs. Individuals using insulin may need to match their carb intake to their insulin doses to prevent blood sugar fluctuations.

Type of Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes, who don’t produce insulin, may need to be more precise with their carb counting and insulin dosing compared to those with type 2 diabetes, who may still produce some insulin.

Strategies for Balancing Carbohydrate Intake in Diabetes

Effectively managing carbohydrate intake is crucial for blood sugar control in diabetes. Here are some strategies to help balance carb consumption:

Choosing Complex Carbohydrates

Opting for complex carbohydrates over simple sugars can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are found in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, which also provide essential nutrients and fiber.

Portion Control

Controlling portion sizes is key to managing carbohydrate intake. Using measuring tools or visual guides can help in accurately estimating carb portions.

Pairing Carbs with Protein and Healthy Fats

Combining carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats can slow down digestion and help prevent rapid blood sugar spikes. This balanced approach can lead to more stable blood glucose levels throughout the day.

The Role of Glycemic Index in Diabetes Management

The glycemic index (GI) is a tool that can be useful in managing carbohydrate intake for people with diabetes. It measures how quickly a food can raise blood sugar levels compared to pure glucose.

Understanding Glycemic Index

Foods are classified as low, medium, or high GI:

• Low GI: 55 or less
• Medium GI: 56-69
• High GI: 70 or above

How can the glycemic index help in diabetes management? Choosing foods with a lower GI can help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it easier to maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.

Limitations of Glycemic Index

While the glycemic index can be a helpful tool, it’s important to note that it has limitations. The GI of a food can be affected by factors such as food preparation methods, ripeness (in the case of fruits), and the presence of other nutrients in a meal.

Monitoring and Adjusting Carbohydrate Intake

Regular monitoring and adjustment of carbohydrate intake are crucial for effective diabetes management. This process involves tracking blood sugar levels, carb intake, and making necessary adjustments to achieve optimal glycemic control.

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Frequent blood glucose monitoring can provide valuable insights into how different carbohydrate amounts and types affect individual blood sugar levels. This information can guide decisions about carb intake and insulin dosing.

Food Journaling

Keeping a detailed food journal that includes carbohydrate counts can help identify patterns and make informed decisions about meal planning and carb intake.

Regular Check-ins with Healthcare Providers

How often should individuals with diabetes consult their healthcare providers about their carb intake? Regular check-ins with healthcare providers, including endocrinologists and registered dietitians, can help ensure that the carbohydrate management plan is effective and aligned with overall health goals. These professionals can provide guidance on adjusting carb intake based on individual needs and health status.

In conclusion, managing carbohydrate intake is a crucial aspect of diabetes care. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, understanding the types of carbohydrates, their impact on blood sugar, and implementing strategies like carb counting can significantly improve diabetes management. By working closely with healthcare providers and regularly monitoring blood glucose levels, individuals with diabetes can find the right balance of carbohydrates that works best for their unique needs and lifestyle.

How Many Carbs Should a Person with Diabetes Have?

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An individualized approach is often best when it comes to carb intake for diabetes management. These guidelines can help you get started on the right path.

Figuring out how many carbs to eat when you have diabetes can seem confusing.

Dietary guidelines from around the globe traditionally recommend that you get around 45–65% of your daily calories from carbs if you have diabetes (1, 2, 3).

However, a growing number of experts believe that people with diabetes should eat far fewer carbs. In fact, many recommend less than half this amount.

Counting your carbs will help ensure that you stay within the range that’s best for you.

This article tells you how many carbs to consider eating if you have diabetes.

There are three main types of carbs: sugars, starches, and fiber (4).

Sugar belongs to a category known as simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs have one sugar molecule (monosaccharides) or two sugar molecules (disaccharides).

Sugar is found naturally in foods and beverages like whole fruit, juice, milk products, and honey. It’s also added to processed foods such as candy.

Starches and fiber are both complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs have at least three sugar molecules. The body takes more time to digest, or break down, starches than sugar, and it can’t digest fiber at all.

Starches are found in foods like potatoes, corn, legumes, and whole grain breads and pastas.

Fiber is found in foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Unlike sugars and starches, naturally occurring fiber doesn’t raise your blood sugar level and may even slow its rise (5, 6).

Many foods and beverages, such as rice, contain more than one type of carbohydrate.

SUMMARY

The three main types of carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and fiber.

Many factors, including exercise, stress, and illness, affect your blood sugar levels. That said, one of the largest factors is what you eat.

Of the three macronutrients — carbs, protein, and fat — carbs have the greatest effect on blood sugar. That’s because your body breaks down carbs into sugar, which enters your bloodstream.

This occurs with all digestible carbs, including refined sources like chips and cookies as well as whole, unprocessed sources like fruits and vegetables.

When people with diabetes eat foods high in carbs, their blood sugar levels can surge. High carb intake typically requires high doses of insulin or diabetes medication to manage blood sugar.

Given that people with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin, they need to inject insulin several times a day, regardless of what they eat. However, eating fewer carbs can significantly reduce their mealtime insulin dosage.

SUMMARY

Your body breaks down certain carbs into sugar, which enters your bloodstream. People with diabetes who eat a lot of carbs require insulin or diabetes medication to keep their blood sugar from rising too much.

Studies have shown that many different levels of carb intake may help manage blood sugar, and the optimal amount of carbs varies by individual.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) used to recommend that people with diabetes get around 45% of their calories from carbs.

However, the ADA now promotes an individualized approach in which your ideal carb intake should take into account your dietary preferences and metabolic goals (7).

It’s important to eat the number of carbs at which you feel best and that you can realistically maintain in the long term.

The typical American diet provides around 2,200 calories per day, with 50% of them coming from carbs. This is equivalent to 275 grams of carbs per day (8).

A severely restricted intake of less than 50 grams of carbs per day appears to produce the most dramatic results and may reduce or even eliminate the need for insulin or diabetes medication. This represents 9–10% of daily calories on a 2,000–2,200-calorie diet (9, 10, 11).

When tracking carb intake, experts sometimes recommend focusing on your net carbs instead of the total amount of carbs you eat. Net carbs is total grams of carbs minus grams of fiber (11).

People with diabetes can also benefit from diets that allow up to 26% of their daily calories to come from carbs. For people who eat 2,000–2,200 calories a day, this is equivalent to 130–143 grams of carbs (12).

Since carbs raise blood sugar, reducing them to any extent can help you manage your blood sugar levels. Therefore, figuring out how many carbs to eat requires some testing and evaluating to find out what works best for you.

For instance, if you’re currently consuming about 250 grams of carbs per day, reducing your intake to 150 grams should result in significantly lower blood sugar after meals.

SUMMARY

There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for how many carbs people with diabetes should eat. However, having carbs account for no more than 26% of your daily calories may help you manage your condition.

To determine your ideal carb intake, measure your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter before a meal and again 1–2 hours after eating.

To prevent damage to your blood vessels and nerves, the maximum level your blood sugar should reach is 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), 2 hours after eating. However, you may want to aim for an even lower ceiling (13).

To achieve your blood sugar goals, you may need to restrict your carb intake to less than 10, 15, or 25 grams per meal. Also, you may find that your blood sugar rises more at certain times of the day, so your upper carb limit may be lower for dinner than for breakfast or lunch.

In general, the fewer carbs you consume, the less your blood sugar will rise and the less insulin or diabetes medication you’ll require to stay within a healthy range.

If you take insulin or diabetes medication, it’s very important to speak with a healthcare professional to ensure the appropriate dosage before reducing your carb intake.

SUMMARY

Determining the optimal carb intake for diabetes management requires testing your blood sugar and making adjustments as needed based on your response, including how you feel.

Many studies support the use of carb restriction in people with diabetes. Research has confirmed that many levels of carb restriction can effectively lower blood sugar levels.

Very low carb ketogenic diets

Very low carb diets typically induce mild to moderate ketosis, a state in which your body uses ketones and fat, rather than sugar, as its main energy sources.

Ketosis usually occurs at a daily intake of fewer than 50 grams of total carbs (9).

Very low carb ketogenic diets were prescribed for people with diabetes even before insulin was discovered in 1921 (8).

Several studies indicate that restricting carb intake to 20–50 grams per day can significantly reduce blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, and improve cardiovascular health for people with diabetes (9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16).

In addition, these improvements often occur very quickly.

For instance, in a small 3-month study, people consumed either a low carb diet containing up to 50 grams of carbs per day or a calorie-restricted low fat diet.

The low carb group averaged a 0.6% decrease in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lost more than twice as much weight as the low fat group. What’s more, 44% of them discontinued at least one diabetes medication compared with 11% of the low fat group (16).

In fact, in several studies, participants have reduced or discontinued use of insulin and other diabetes medications due to improvements in blood sugar control (9, 10, 11, 14, 15).

Diets containing 20–50 grams of carbs per day have also been shown to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of disease in people with prediabetes (17).

Although concerns have been raised that higher protein intake on low carb diets may lead to kidney problems, a 12-month study found that a very low carb intake didn’t increase the risk of kidney disease (18).

Another study found that the diet might actually improve kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes and normal renal function or mild kidney disease (19).

Low carb diets

Many low carb diets restrict carbs to 50–100 grams, or about 10–20% of calories, per day.

Although there are very few studies on carb restriction in people with type 1 diabetes, those that exist have reported impressive results (20, 21, 22, 23).

One of the biggest concerns for people with type 1 diabetes is hypoglycemia, or blood sugar that drops to dangerously low levels.

In a small 12-month study from 2005, adults with type 1 diabetes who restricted their daily carb intake to fewer than 90 grams had 82% fewer episodes of low blood sugar than before they started the diet (20).

In a 2012 study in people with type 1 diabetes who restricted carbs to 70 grams per day, participants saw their HbA1c drop from 7.7% to 6.4%, on average. What’s more, their HbA1c levels remained the same 4 years later (21).

A 1.3% reduction in HbA1c is a significant change to maintain over several years, particularly in those with type 1 diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes may also benefit from limiting their daily carb intake.

According to a research review, people who consumed no more than 26% of calories from carbs were 32% more likely to experience diabetes remission than people who mostly followed a low fat diet. A person was considered in remission if their HbA1c was under 6.5% (12).

Moderate carb diets

A more moderate carb diet may provide 130–220 grams of carbs per day, or 26–44% of calories in a 2,000-calorie diet (24).

A few studies examining such diets have reported good results in people with diabetes (25, 26).

In a 2010 study of 259 people with type 2 diabetes, those who followed a Mediterranean diet providing 35% or fewer calories from carbs experienced a significant reduction in HbA1c. Over the course of 12 months, HbA1c dropped 2.0% on average (27).

SUMMARY

Studies demonstrate that restricting carbs may benefit people with diabetes. The lower your carb intake, the greater the effect on your blood sugar levels and other health markers.

Many tasty, nutritious, low carb foods raise blood sugar levels only minimally. You can enjoy these foods in moderate to liberal amounts on low carb diets.

However, you should avoid or limit the following high carb items:

• breads, muffins, rolls, and bagels
• pasta, rice, corn, and other grains
• potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, and taro
• milk and sweetened yogurt
• most fruit, except berries
• cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, and other sweets
• snack foods like pretzels, chips, and popcorn
• juice, soda, sweetened iced tea, and other sugar-sweetened drinks
• beer, wine, and spirits

Keep in mind that not all of these foods are unhealthy. For example, fruits are highly nutritious, but eating large amounts isn’t optimal for anyone trying to manage their blood sugar levels by eating fewer carbs.

SUMMARY

On a low carb diet, you should avoid or limit foods and beverages like beer, bread, potatoes, fruit, and sweets.

Low carb diets have consistently been shown to lower blood sugar and improve other health markers in people with diabetes.

At the same time, certain higher carb diets have been credited with similar effects.

For example, some studies suggest that low fat vegan or vegetarian diets may lead to better blood sugar control and overall health (28, 29, 30, 31).

In a 12-week Korean study, a brown-rice-based vegan diet containing 268.4 grams of carbs per day (about 72% of calories) lowered participants’ HbA1c levels more than a standard diabetes diet with 249.1 grams of total daily carbs (about 67% of calories) (30).

An analysis of four studies found that people with type 2 diabetes who followed a low fat macrobiotic diet consisting of 70% carbs achieved significant reductions in blood sugar and other health markers (32).

The Mediterranean diet likewise improves blood sugar control and provides other health benefits in individuals with diabetes (33).

However, it’s important to note that most of these diets weren’t directly compared with low carb diets, but rather with standard low fat diets often used for diabetes management. More research on these diets is needed.

SUMMARY

Studies suggest that certain higher carb diets may aid diabetes management. Still, additional research is needed.

If you have diabetes, reducing your carb intake may be beneficial.

Multiple studies have shown that a daily carb intake of up to 44% of calories not only leads to better blood sugar control but also may promote weight loss and other health improvements.

Here’s a sample menu, which would provide about 113 grams of total carbs for the day (34):

• Breakfast: 1 slice of whole wheat toast (about 14 grams of carbs) plus an omelet made with 2 large eggs (about 1 gram) and 1 cup of nonstarchy vegetables like broccoli and greens (about 10 grams)
• Lunch: 12 ounces of lentil soup (about 33 grams) and 1 apple (about 15 grams)
• Dinner: 4 ounces of grilled chicken breast (0 grams), 1. 5 cups of nonstarchy vegetables like zucchini and okra (about 15 grams), and 4 ounces of brown rice (about 25 grams)

However, some individuals can tolerate more carbs than others.

Testing your blood sugar and paying attention to how you feel at different carb intakes can help you find your ideal range for optimal diabetes management, energy levels, and quality of life.

It might also be helpful to reach out to others for support. Our free app, T2D Healthline, connects you with real people living with type 2 diabetes. Ask diet-related questions and seek advice from others who get it. Download the app for iPhone or Android.

How Many Carbs Per Day For Diabetics?

Last updated on April 9th, 2022

Counting carbs is keeping track of all the carbohydrates a person takes in his or her meals, snacks, or drinks. Carb counting makes management of blood sugar easier for a diabetic patient; along with:

• a long healthy life,
• improvement in the quality of life,
• preventing the risk of diabetes complications including eye problems, heart disorders, or kidney diseases.

Read further and get to know what are healthy carbs for a diabetic and how many carbs per day for a diabetic is good to eat.

Table of Contents

What are Carbs or Carbohydrates?

Carbs are sugar-based molecules commonly present in food items such as sweets, starches, or dairy products. Any diabetic person must plan his or her carb consumption and stick to the plan. This is vital so that blood sugar level remains controlled and also the risk of diabetes-associated complications gets minimized. Whether the person is a diabetic or non-diabetic, the major aim should be: consuming half of the calories from complex carbs (rich in fiber), 25% from protein, and not more than 25-30% from fat.

How Many Carbs Per Day For a Diabetic?

In case, the person is taking 2000 calories a day, he or she must take 250gm of complex carbs (fibers) per day. Initially, a diabetic person must start with having about 45-60gms of carbs per meal and 15-30gms for snacks. Every diabetic person has one query in his or her mind: how many carbs should a diabetic have for a snack? Snacking is the key for diabetics who are on insulin or anti-diabetic medications that increase insulin production.

Summary

Thus, the key for any diabetic person (whether or not they are on insulin), is to maintain their sugar levels under normal limits. Also, he or she must aim at increasing their consumption of nutritious carbs and lessening the less healthy ones.

Also Read: How does insulin injections help type 2 diabetes?

Managing Diabetes & Counting Daily Carbs

When carbs get digested (carbs from drinks or foods), they break down into glucose. This glucose acts as a fuel for body cells. This way, the blood glucose or sugar level rises in the body. In a non-diabetic person, similar way blood glucose levels rise after food intake. But insulin responds in a non-diabetic person and keeps the blood sugar levels from rising too high.

In the case of a diabetic person, the whole process doesn’t function as it should be. Insulin hormone fails to work and thus, blood sugar levels keep on rising if the person takes carb-rich foods all the time. That’s why; carb count greatly helps in blood sugar management.

People with Type 2 Diabetes develop insulin resistance and are not capable of producing a sufficient amount. Thus, the person must be mindful of his or her carb consumption. A constant quantity of carbohydrates can be taken at meals during the day rather than taking them altogether. This would help in avoiding the blood glucose spikes considerably. Diabetics on oral drugs can take help from a more basic form of carb counting in comparison to people on insulin.

Benefits of Carb Counting: The Carb Goal!

The benefits of carb counting are keeping the blood glucose levels steady together with:

• maintaining the overall well-being of people with type 2 diabetes.
• improving the energy levels.
• preventing diabetes-associated complications because of excessively high or low blood glucose.

Also Read: What is normal sugar level by age?

Fine-tune The Diabetic Carb Intake

Here, a dietician or diabetes educator plays a key role in adjusting the carb prerequisites. And this depends upon the person’s activity level, whether he or she wishes to lose weight, and whether or not insulin is being used. Before test driving the carbohydrate counting plan, it is also vital to keep a check on the blood glucose levels before and after meals. If food items such as pasta or fruit juice spike the blood glucose, then it is better to take them in smaller portions.

How to Count Carbohydrates for Better Glucose Control?

Every diabetic person should count his or her carbohydrates and take a healthy or balanced diet by:

• Checking with some good nutritionist or a diabetes educator. They assist them in planning the number of carbs to incorporate in each meal and snack. The count is done either in grams or carb servings.
• Having standard portions of carb-rich diets. Each serving size consists of approximately 15 grams of carbs.  These are the maximum carbs for diabetics.
• Having standard portions of protein-rich meals. It is very important to include protein (eggs, beans, cheese, or meat) in the diet.
• Consuming less saturated fats and trans fats. A diabetic balanced diet plan must include only healthy fats. It’s essential to check with a healthcare provider to know about the fat content permissible in the diet plan.

Also Read: Blood sugar level conversion chart

Top 10 Common Foods With Carbs Value For Diabetic Person

How many carbs should a diabetic eat? Here is a guide to making out the carb content present in 10 foods that a person haves daily. Take help from this list of recommended carbs for diabetics. Get your measuring cups ready!

Bread

1 bread slice = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Whole wheat bread is best for diabetics than white-wheat bread (even though both contain similar carb content). Whole wheat bread has over two times more fiber than white bread. This means that the person can digest it gradually and his or her blood glucose would rise more slowly after its intake. A diabetic person must aim to have 30 gm of fiber each day.

Also Read: Best Bread For Diabetics

Cereal

3/4th cup of dry cereal = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Having a morning meal is a vital part of every day’s life. But this is particularly true for individuals with diabetes. A balanced breakfast kicks start the day actively. A cereal bowl together with skimmed milk can be an ideal first meal of the day. Remember to avoid sugary, low-fiber cereals (like cornflakes). Oat bran cereal is found to be a better option to substitute cornflakes.

Fruit

1 small piece = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Fruit should be taken by diabetics in measured portion size. A diabetic person can have fruits like apples, peaches, pear, berries, musk melon, etc. Chiku or grapes contain excessive sugar; thus these can be avoided. A medium banana can be taken which contains 15 gm of carbs, plus it fills the stomach and is rich in minerals like potassium. Berries are choke-full of fiber and antioxidants. All that is important is to take care of the amount of fruit a person is eating. This should be the maximum daily carb intake from fruits.

Also Read: Fruits For Diabetics

Cooked Pasta

1/3rd cup of pasta = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

One should choose whole-wheat noodles than white pasta. It is a healthier choice for diabetics. But it’s important to measure the portion size. One-third cup must be taken; and if the pasta bowl is overloaded, then the person will get enough carbs in a single meal.

Fruit Juice

½ cup fruit juice = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Every diabetic should opt for fruit instead of fruit juice, as fruit is rich in fiber. And fruit juices, whether sugar-free or natural juices – are quite high in calories. 3 glasses deliver 300-400 calories approximately according to nutritionists.

Milk

1 cup fat-free skimmed milk = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Dairy products are rich in key nutrients such as proteins, calcium, and vitamin D, etc. So, if a person likes them, these can be included in the diet. Remember to skip full-fat milk and replace it with skimmed milk or low- or no-fat dairy products. High cholesterol and high triglycerides levels often accompany diabetes, hence avoiding dairy fats is important.

Yoghurt

1 cup of plain yoghurt = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Yogurt must come from a non-fat source so it’s a great, healthy choice for diabetic people. Flavoured yogurt must be avoided as it’s packed with sugar. So it’s better to check the carb content. The person can make his or her recipe by adding chopped fruit and nuts to nonfat yoghurt and this comes out to be really tasty.

Crackers

3-5 Saltines = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

While snacking on crackers, it is important to check the label for sodium and trans fat content. As a watch on both are important just like watching for carb content. Even low-carb crackers are found to have unhealthy fats and an excess of salt. Thus, one must opt for crackers with less than 200 mg of sodium per serving of carbs. Also, it’s preferable to leave out the cracker containing trans fat.

Ice cream

½ cup of ice cream = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

Diabetics must stay away from ice creams and go for some low-fat options such as frozen yogurt or can take even sugar-free popsicles.

Cookies

2 cookies = 15 gms of carbs or 1 serving

A diabetic person should always say good-bye to cookies, sweets as they are high in calories. He or she can take one or two cookies that too sugar-free before or after their meals.

Importance of Carb Counting in People With Type 2 Diabetes

• A study was conducted in type 2 diabetic patients who consumed a high protein; high fiber diet. It was found that there was a 29% decrease in their fasting blood glucose levels, on average.
• Another 12-month research study was conducted on 259 people with type 2 diabetes, who had a Mediterranean diet. This diet offered 35% or fewer calories from carbs. A significant decrease in HbA1c was seen that ranged from 8.3% to 6.3%.

Thus, there are a lot of studies that depict that restricting carbs benefits diabetics to a major extent. The lower their carb consumption is, the higher is the effect on their blood glucose levels and other health markers.

Also Read: HbA1c normal range chart

Other Helpful Implications for Every Diabetic

Here is a list of some useful suggestions that helps considerably in counting on the carbohydrates:

• It is a must to read the product label carefully for carbohydrate content. Read the serving size mentioned on the package.
• Keep track of blood sugar levels. Doing this before and one-two hours after having meals, a person can see how food affects blood glucose levels.
• A food record or a diary can be kept along. This should keep a note of what the person is eating and his or her blood sugar results. This helps in discussing with the concerned dietician whether the meal plan needs to be adjusted or not and he or she can review the patient’s food record.
• Find a diabetes education program: The diabetes care team helps in tracking food intake and blood glucose levels and provides the patient with useful facts about how different meals impact their blood sugar. This greatly helps in determining the right amount of carbohydrates for the person with type 2 diabetes. Breath Well-being offers a well-research digital program that guides people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. Through this plan, people can see a remarkable change in their blood sugar levels, weight changes, their fitness levels, and eventually can notice “zero medication” in their prescriptions. And company’s health experts assist users to formulate the required modifications in their diet or daily routine.

Summary

The bottom line is, the fewer carbs a person consumes the less blood glucose rises and the less anti-diabetic drug or insulin will be required to stay within a healthy range. Diabetes management aims at determining the recommended dietary intake for diabetics. And regular testing of blood sugar levels and making amendments as per the needs is also determined.

Several research studies have found that a recommended daily carbs for diabetics of 20-150 grams, or 5 to 35% of calories, not only improves the blood sugar level but also promotes healthy weight loss plus other health benefits. Thus, paying attention to different carbohydrates helps in optimal diabetes control along with improving the standard of living.

Also Read: Can you get an ulcer on your foot?

FAQs:

Which foods, low or high GI beneficial in preventing the risk of diabetes complications?

Diets with a low GI assist in preventing diabetes from developing and helps to prevent the incidence of complications.

What do you mean by Glycemic Index?

According to ADA, Glycemic Index (GI) is a key in the diet planning of diabetic people for better blood sugar control. GI is a ranking system comparing carbohydrates to demonstrate their impact on your blood sugar. Each carb is allocated a GI ranking from 0 to 100. This ranking depends upon how much a particular carb raises the blood glucose after being eaten.

Is calorie-counting also beneficial in diabetes management or are calories good for diabetes?

There is no direct correlation between calories and type 2 diabetes. However, being obese or overweight is a risk factor. Some dietary habits such as consuming healthful foods in moderate portions and low glycemic fruits and veggies greatly help.

How many carbs are good for diabetic person like me?

There’s no magic number when it comes to counting the ideal carbohydrate intake for diabetics per meal. The amount of carbs each person needs is largely determined by his or her body size and activity level. Also, hunger and appetite play a major role.

To make out how many carbs are good for your health, it’s good to schedule an appointment with your diabetes educator or nutritionist. They will create an eating plan for you.

References:

1. https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/understanding-carbs/carb-counting-and-diabetes
2. https://www.health.com/condition/type-2-diabetes/how-to-count-carbs-in-10-common-foods
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/diabetes-carbs-per-day#bottom-line
4. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/diabetes-and-carbohydrates.html
5. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa15456

Last Updated on April 9, 2022 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal 

Type 1 Diabetes Diet

Diabetes patients often fall into two extremes when it comes to dietary recommendations. Some people leave the endocrinologist’s office with the idea that the “black” days have come, and it is unlikely that they will be able to hold out for a long time on “hard” restrictions. That is, having already tuned in advance that they will “sin”. Others are afraid to eat an apple once again.

Both approaches fail to properly normalize sugar

Formation and release of insulin into the blood depends on the quality and quantity of food taken.

The glucose that enters the blood causes the secretion of such an amount of insulin that the blood sugar returns to normal. Part of the glucose goes to energy costs, part is deposited in the form of reserves for the future – glycogen. Anything not used turns into fat. Thus, a relatively stable level of glycemia is maintained in a healthy person, regardless of the diet.

Patients with type 1 diabetes do not secrete their own insulin.

Therefore, the time of intake and the energy value of food should be tied to insulin injections. If the insulin therapy regimen is correctly selected “for the patient” – his work schedule, physical activity and type of nutrition are taken into account, and meals (the intake of carbohydrates into the blood!) coincide with the peaks of insulin action, then the blood sugar level remains stably normal.

The endocrinologist should explain when insulin is most effective, how and what foods increase blood sugar levels. Often, simple ignorance negates the advantages of modern ultrashort and long-acting insulins (analogues), initially well-chosen insulin therapy regimens.

Menu planning

Ideally, the daily food requirement is determined by the amount of energy needed to carry out daily activities and maintain optimal weight. Ideally, the daily dose of insulin should cover the food taken so that the blood sugar level does not go beyond normal values.

Initially, the dose of insulin is calculated depending on weight, baseline glycemic values, insulin sensitivity. If you overeat, then this leads to an increase in the dose. Increasing the dose leads to overeating.

Carbs should not be limited to less than 50% of total calories.

This provides the required amount of energy. Otherwise, the body will begin to use other sources.

At the same time, for the full absorption of fat in the body, it is required that the amount of carbohydrates is three times higher than the amount of fat. Otherwise, incomplete combustion of the latter occurs, which leads to the accumulation of intermediate metabolic products and the development of ketoacidosis!

Carbohydrates must be right! That is, complex. Carbohydrates to consider:

• Cereals (bread, cereals)
• Fruits and certain varieties of vegetables (potatoes, beets, carrots, green peas)
• Milk and dairy products
• All other types of vegetables (except those listed above) and greens have little or no increase in sugar.

The slower absorption of carbohydrates from foods, the greater the hypoglycemic effect of each unit of insulin

• The following dietary factors influence blood sugar levels
• quantity and type of carbohydrates in food
• ballast content
• speed of eating
• the content of proteins and fats in the dish, which form complex complexes with carbohydrates – carbohydrates are absorbed more slowly. It is important to have an idea about the glycemic and insulin index.
• alcohol

The diet should be as balanced as possible in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, trace elements and vitamins. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is not necessary to aggravate this condition with a deficiency or an excess of certain nutrients.

It is not always possible to know exactly whether a regular dose of insulin will cover a given meal. The general idea is given by an understanding of the concept of a bread unit (XE). This is a conventional unit for measuring the amount of carbohydrates in foods. It is equal to 10 g of carbohydrates.

It should be remembered that breakfast requires more insulin for the same amount of XE than dinner. For each XE, you need 2 units of short insulin during the day, 1.6 units before dinner.

The use of XE is convenient for those who make “jokes” for food. And it is necessary in the presence of an insulin pump.

In other words, the more ideal the food-exercise-insulin pattern, the smoother the sugars. The causes of sugar fluctuations, especially significant ones, can only be clarified by the joint efforts of the doctor and the patient. Not necessarily “flaws” in the diet lead to them. “Hidden” hypoglycemia, the presence of severe polyneuropathy, liver and kidney disease – a far from complete list of conditions that cause changes in the level of glycemia. However, the correspondence “food – insulin” should remain as verified as possible.

Diabetes Diet: Can You Eat High-Carb Foods?

Diet plays an important role in maintaining health, especially for patients with diabetes. Many people wonder if a high-carbohydrate food like rice is part of a healthy diet for such individuals or not. A healthy diet is essential to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range. According to the American Diabetes Association, the normal range for this indicator is 80-130 mg/dL before meals or below 180 mg/dL after meals. To manage your health in the presence of diabetes, specialists from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, USA, recommend:

• follow a healthy diet;
• engage in regular physical activity;
• , if necessary, undergo drug therapy.

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body. High-carbohydrate foods are cereals, vegetables and legumes, fruits, dairy products, sweets, etc. For patients with diabetes, counting the amount of carbohydrates consumed in the daily diet is standard practice. Experts from the American Diabetes Association recommend that such patients consume about 45–60 g of carbohydrates per meal. However, this recommendation may vary depending on other factors, such as the sex and body weight of the patient with diabetes, blood glucose levels, etc.

It is important to remember that not all carbohydrates are the same, for example, fiber, which is found in plant foods – vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, unlike other types of carbohydrates, slightly increases blood glucose levels, and also slows down the process of food digestion, which additionally helps to minimize the risk of a spike in blood glucose levels. Daily fiber intake is 20-35 g.

In turn, starchy, high-carbohydrate foods such as grains, cereals, pasta, rice, and certain vegetables should be consumed in moderation by patients with diabetes. For example, rice, a popular high-carbohydrate food, can be part of a healthy diet for such patients, but in reasonable amounts, since ¹ / ₃ A cup of rice contains about 15 g of carbohydrates, i.e. ¹ / ₃ one serving of carbohydrates.

Foods rich in proteins and fats eaten with rice may help slow the effect of eating rice on blood glucose levels. It is also worth remembering that different varieties of rice have a different glycemic index, for example, white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown. In order to balance the effect of high-carbohydrate foods, such as rice, on blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes, such foods should be consumed along with foods that contain high amounts of fiber, vitamins, and other components.