Carbohydrates affect your blood sugar levels more than any other foods. Foods
that contain carbohydrates are fruit, fruit juice, bread, rice, pasta, cereal,
milk, beans, and many snack foods like crackers, candy, soda and cookies.
Knowing the amount of carbohydrate in a food helps you to balance your meals
and snacks. Eating too much carbohydrate can raise your blood sugar levels.
In addition, limiting the amount of carbohydrate in your diet helps control
How can I know how many carbohydrates
are in a particular food?
Check the Nutrition Facts label. Total carbohydrates are listed in bold letters
on the label. This number is based on eating 1 serving of the food so
you need to adjust your numbers if you eat more. Read labels carefully. For
example, a bag of pretzels may be 1.5 servings rather than 1 serving.
How much carbohydrate should I
eat each day?
You may find it helpful to meet with a registered dietitian who is an expert
in diabetes management to help you set up your own, individual meal plan and
goals for carbohydrate intake.
For many people, 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrate or 2 to 4 carbohydrate choices
works for most meals. The following sample menu gives you an idea of how this
can translate to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
1 cup cooked oatmeal (27g.)
1/2 cup skim milk (6 g.)
1 medium sized apple (15 g.)
1 whole wheat English muffin (25 g)
1 tablespoon peanut butter (3g.)
1 cup skim milk (12 g.)
1 cup vegetable soup (15g.)
2 slices whole wheat bread (30g.)
2 ounces turkey breast
3 cups mixed vegetable salad (15g.)
1/2 cup kidney beans (20 g.)
2 tablespoons Italian dressing
1 peach (15g.)
4 ounces fish
1/2 cup cooked rice (25 g.)
1 cup cooked broccoli (10g.)
1/2 cup apple sauce (15 g.)
1 cup cooked pasta (40 g)
1/2 cup cooked spinach (4 g)
1/2 cup tomato sauce (5 g.)
Review Date: 5/1/2006
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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