Watching Carbs Helps Control Diabetes

People with diabetes are often told to watch their diet as a way to help control their blood sugar.

But what does watching your diet mean?  Should you be watching how many calories you consume, or is it fat, or carbs?

Carbohydrates have the greatest effect on your blood sugar, so you need to be aware of which foods contain carbs and how to track them.  By keeping track of your carbs, you’ll still be able to eat your favorite foods – you’ll just have to watch how much you eat if your favorite foods are high in carbs.

Generally, one serving of carbohydrates equals 15 grams of carbs.  Some foods that are considered one serving of carbs include one medium piece of fruit (apples, bananas), one cup of milk or yogurt, or 1/2 cup of starch (bread, cereal, potato, pasta, etc.).

For most people, three to four servings of carbs are recommended with each meal, along with a moderate amount of protein, and a limited amount of fat.  It’s important to consume the same amount of carbs at each meal (or on a regular basis) to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

To find out how many carbs are in a particular food, check the label for both the total carbohydrates and the serving size.

By monitoring your carbs, you’ll be able to control your blood sugar (and your diabetes) and still eat some of your favorite foods.