Carbohydrate Counting & the Diabetes Diet

When you have diabetes, you will need to monitor your blood glucose level to ensure that it stays within a healthy range. A well thought out and balanced diet is the key to managing diabetes. Carbohydrates are allowed, but in moderation.

• It is important to understand that carbohydrates are broken down and converted to sugar by the body; therefore, the intake of carbs should be carefully monitored if you have diabetes, especially refined carbohydrates.

• Healthy carbohydrates are the proper choice for someone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. Healthy choices are whole grain bread, brown rice, beans and some fruits and vegetables. An unrefined carbohydrate is broken down by the body slower and therefore will not spike your blood sugar the way unhealthy carbohydrate choices will.

• Unhealthy carbohydrates should be avoided by someone with diabetes. Refined carbohydrates such as sugar, white bread, white rice, pastries and cakes should be avoided on a diabetes diet. These unhealthy carbs are able to be broken down by the body quickly and converted into sugar; therefore, quickly spiking your blood sugar levels if you suffer from diabetes.

• Monitoring the size of your portions is a great way to count carbs while on a diet that is healthy for a diabetic. While some carbs are essential to your health, you should be sure that you are not consuming more than is recommended. Small serving sizes will allow your body the carbohydrates it needs to convert to energy for your body without increasing your blood sugar too rapidly.