Diabetic
Carbohydrate Diet
Many people with
diabetes are puzzled as to why they should eat carbohydrates
when this is the calorie that raises their blood sugar (glucose) the
most.
Diabetic
carbohydrate diet explains why.
A very
short why is the body can't live without glucose. It is the primary
fuel for the body and most days we need at least 1000 calories or more
as carbohydrates to keep the body going.
You
wouldn't feel
your fuel tank in your car with sand and expected to run, would
you? Of course not, so why do you think your body can run on
protein and fat with almost no carbohydrates? It won't run well,
that's for sure.
Several important facts about
diabetic carbohydrates.
- Carbohydrates
are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; their structure can be
very simple (sugars) or more complex (starches). As they are
digested, carbohydrates are broken down into a simple sugar called
glucose. Glucose supplies fuel for all the cells in your body
especially for the red blood cells and brain cells.
- Carbohydrates
are needed for digesting protein and fat. Without
carbohydrates, protein and fat are used for immediate energy and unable
to fulfill their primary role in the body which is to build and repair
body cells.
- Carbohydrates should never be
eliminated from your
diet. However, selecting the healthiest carbohydrates and watching
portion size should be a priority.
- Diabetes is an
insulin
problem. Insulin fails to do its job which is to carry glucose
from the blood into the body cells that need more fuel
(glucose) or to place the extra glucose into storage. Making
your own insulin or the insulin you inject work better should be your
primary focus. Learn more
about insulin.
Carbohydrates come
from:- Grains (breads,
pasta, cereals)
- Fruits
- Starchy
vegetables
- Beer and wine
- Desserts
and candies
- Milk and yogurt
- Beverages
sweetened with sugar
- Snacks made from grains
- Ingredients
that end in 'ose', like sucrose, fructose, maltose
Many
foods contain carbohydrates but not all carbohydrates have the same
impact on blood sugars and your health. For good health, select
carbohydrates with fiber and protein such as whole grains, starchy
vegetables, low-fat milk and yogurt.
How many carbs should you eat at
meals and snacks?
The
amount of carbohydrates you need at a New York snack depends on how
much you weigh and your activity level. In general:
- 45
to 60 grams of carbohydrates at every meal for women.
- 60
to 70 grams of carbohydrates at every meal for men.
- 15
to 30 grams for a snack.
Individuals
who take insulin injections (Humalog / Novolog) should consider
counting grams of carbohydrates and adjusting the units of insulin
based on the amount of carbohydrates in the meal. Talking with your
doctor and a diabetes educator can determine whether this is
appropriate for you.
Learn more
about carb counting.
 Want to make good choices when
it comes to selecting carbohydrates?
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