Cook Children’s 1
Ashley Cunningham RD, LD, CDE
Carbohydrate Counting and Diabetes
Cook Children’s 2
Type 1 Diabetes
Why count carbohydrates?• To follow a meal plan Ex: 60g carbs at meals, 30g carbs
at snacks
• To use an insulin-to-carb meal ratio Ex: 1:15 One unit of insulin/ 15 grams of
carb
Cook Children’s 3
Type 1 Diabetes
• Encourage a healthy, balanced diet
However…..
They can eat cookies, cake, candy and other sweets occasionally.
They must fit them into the meal plan.• Recommend sugar-free drinks
Cook Children’s 4
Type 2 Diabetes
Why count carbohydrates?
• To follow a meal plan
• To use in insulin-to-carb meal ratio
• Portion control!
Cook Children’s 5
Type 2 Diabetes• Need weight loss• Encourage a healthy, balanced diet
• Limit desserts, candy, etc• Only sugar-free drinks• No juice!!• Drink white, low-fat or non-fat milk• Limit fried foods• More vegetables!!
• Encourage daily activity
Cook Children’s 6
Carbohydrate FoodsStarches and grains
• Bread, cereal, tortillas• Rice and pasta• Crackers, pretzels, chips, popcorn• Starchy vegetables:
• Beans (pinto, black, kidney, etc)• Corn • Potatoes• Peas
Cook Children’s 7
Carbohydrate Foods
• Milk and Yogurt• Fruit- fresh, frozen, canned, dried,
juice• Sweets, desserts, jelly and jam,
syrups• Sugared drinks
Cook Children’s 8
Free Foods
≤5 grams of carbohydrate/ serving• Non-starchy vegetables
• Lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, carrots, pickles, jalapeños
• Fats
• Butter, oils, shortening, avocado, olives, bacon, cream
Cook Children’s 9
Free Foods• Protein
• Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese
• Condiments• Mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce• Spices and herbs• Artificial sweeteners (Splenda®,
Sweet-n-Low®, Equal®)
• Sugar-free drinks
Cook Children’s 10
Free Foods You Might Count
…Depending on amount eatenNuts and Peanut ButterSeedsKetchupBBQ SauceLow-fat Salad Dressings
Cook Children’s 11
Which foods in this school lunch are carbohydrates?
Chicken Nuggets with Texas Toast
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Broccoli with Cheese
Fruit Juice
Milk
Cook Children’s 12
Which foods in this school lunch are carbohydrates?
Chicken Nuggets with Texas Toast
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Broccoli with Cheese
Fruit Juice
Milk
Cook Children’s 13
Grams of Carbohydrate
Measure based on serving sizes
Read Labels
Cook Children’s 14
Serving Sizes
1 serving of carb= 15 grams• Bread- One slice• Pasta, rice- 1/3 cup• Corn, mashed potatoes- ½ cup• Milk- 1 cup• Fruit- 4oz apple, banana, glass of juice• Ice cream- ½ cup vanilla
Cook Children’s 15
Label Reading
Only read two parts of the labelServing size
Total Carbohydrates (gm)
Do NOT read sugar!
Cook Children’s 16
Education Material
“Choose your Foods: Exchange Lists for Diabetes”
www.diabetes.org
Cook Children’s 17
References
1. American Diabetes Association, Inc., American Dietetic Association. Choose Your Foods: Exchange List for Diabetes. 2008.
2. Franz, M. A Core Curriculum for Diabetes Education, Diabetes Management Therapies; Fifth Edition. Chicago, IL: American Association Of Diabetes Educators; 2003.