Carbohydrate counting for children with diabetes
What is carbohydrate counting?
Carbohydrate counting is the recommended method of meal planning for people who have diabetes. It involves adding up the amount of carbohydrate in the foods you eat. Spreading carbohydrate evenly throughout the day helps prevent high blood sugar after eating, because carbohydrate affects blood sugar more than other nutrients. Within 2 hours after a person eats any kind of carbohydrate, most of it has changed to blood sugar. Foods that contain carbohydrate include:
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Milk and yogurt.
- Starchy foods (such as breads, cereals, vegetables such as potatoes and corn, and dry beans such as kidney beans and lentils).
- Sugary foods (such as candy and cakes).
Foods that contain sugar usually have more total carbohydrate in a serving than foods that contain starch. Contrary to what you may have heard, your child can eat foods that contain sugar, such as cookies. However, if foods that are high in sugar make up a large part of your child's meals and snacks, he or she is probably getting too much carbohydrate and is not eating enough of other, more nutritious foods.
Test Your Knowledge
Carbohydrate counting helps you know how much carbohydrate your child is eating during a meal.
Which of these foods contain carbohydrate?
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Why do carbohydrate counting?
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: February 10, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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