Any carbohydrate food you eat (milk, fruit, bread, pasta, etc.) is digested into glucose, which causes your blood-glucose level to increase. That said, it's still important to eat carbohydrates throughout the day because they provide energy and essential nutrients. To better manage your blood glucose, energy levels and weight, pay attention to how much carbohydrate you eat. Maintaining the right balance between carbs and insulin (whether you make it or take it) helps regulate your blood-glucose level. Choice of carb types, simple or complex, is also important. (See the Glycemic Index article for more information on good carb choices.)
Determining when and how much you eat — and whether or not you have snacks — should be based on your lifestyle, medications and meal-planning goals. A registered dietitian may consider the following factors in helping you determine a plan:
• Consistency: If you use diabetes medications or insulin, it's important to eat approximately the same amount of food and carbohydrate at the same time each day to help keep blood glucose from getting too high or too low.
• Maximums: Setting a mealtime maximum for carbs can help keep your blood sugar from getting too high.
• Matching: If your insulin plan includes varying your dose based on what you're eating, it's important to know your carb counts.
Source: The American Dietetic Association's Diabetes Care and Education Group
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, June 2013
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