When you have diabetes, what you eat does matter. Foods containing carbohydrates affect the blood glucose level more than any other food. When carbohydrates are digested, 100% of it turns into glucose, or sugar. How fast it turns into sugar may vary but it all turns into sugar.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy and nutrients. We don’t want to eliminate them from our diet completely. The key to eating carbohydrates is how much and how often. The amount of carbohydrates you eat and when you eat them will differ depending on body size, medication and activity level. A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) can help you figure out what is best for you.
Carbohydrates are any foods that are made with flour, or are starchy or sugary. Carbohydrates are also found in fructose, the natural sugar in fruit and lactose, the natural sugar in milk and milk products. Vegetables are also carbohydrates.
Most individuals can have 3-4 servings (45-60 grams) of carbohydrate per meal, but remember to check with your health care professional. One serving of carbohydrate equals 15 grams of carbohydrate. The chart below will give you a general idea of common foods and the amount of carbohydrates they contain.
|
FOOD
|
CARBOHYDRATE SERVING/GRAMS
|
|
Bread, 1 slice ( white or wheat)
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Hamburger bun, whole
|
2 servings/30 grams
|
|
Waffle, 4” square
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Corn, ½ cup
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Mashed potato, ½ cup
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Popcorn, 3 cups
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Pretzels,, 3/4oz
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Apple, 1 small
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Orange juice, 4oz
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Banana, 1 small
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Canned fruit, ½ cup (own juice)
|
1 serving/15 grams
|
|
Milk (any), 1 cup
|
1 serving/12 grams
|
Understanding carbohydrates may seem confusing at first, but once you have a little help and some practice, it becomes much easier. Understanding how to read labels also makes counting carbohydrates easier and much more flexible. Please see the article on label reading for information. Working carbohydrates into your meal plan the right way will make your diabetes control much better and more enjoyable!
Please call us at Bremo Diabetes LifeCare if we can be of assistance to you.
Marianne Henley, MS, RD, CDE
Dietitian, Richmond Apothecaries Inc
