Carbohydrate and diabetes

Carbohydrate is your body's primary source of energy and therefore the nutrient you most need to monitor when you have diabetes. When you eat food that contain carbohydrate, your body breaks down the carbohydrate almost entirely into glucose. Your body's cells absorb this glucose and convert it into the energy you need for everything that you do, from voluntary actions-such as walking, talking, and eating-to involuntary actions-such as the beating of your heart, digestion, and breathing. Your liver, kidneys, and muscles store extra carbohydrate as glycogen, which can be released as carbohydrate when extra energy is needed.

Carbohydrate also plays an essential role in the normal functioning of your nervous and immune systems and contributes to proper blood clotting, wound healing, and hormonal balance. Some types of carbohydrate (dietary fiber) help prevent constipation and regulate the absorption of simple sugars.

Carbohydrate also allows your body to use protein more efficiently. If you do not eat enough carbohydrate, your body will use protein for energy; however, protein's essential role is to build and repair tissues in your body, not to provide energy. If you eat enough carbohydrate, then the protein in your system is "free" to build healthy, new tissue.

Of the three major nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), carbohydrate has the greatest effect on blood sugar level. Since you have diabetes, you have to carefully monitor the amount of carbohydrate that you eat every day; however, you should not overly restrict or eliminate carbohydrate from your diet.

Foods that contain carbohydrate

Food groups that contain a significant amount of carbohydrate include:

• Milk.
• Fruit.
• Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables (includes vegetables such as corn, potatoes, peas, winter squash, and yams).

Table sugar or sweets also supply carbohydrate in your diet. Nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots contain a small amount of carbohydrate.

Counting carbohydrate

Carbohydrate counting is a tool that can be used to add flexibility to your meal plans. It is one method that dietitians use to help people determine the number of carbohydrate servings they should have at each meal. These serving recommendations can then be translated into food choices. A carbohydrate serving is also called a carbohydrate choice.

These basic principles will help you better understand the concept of carbohydrate counting:

• The same amount of carbohydrate should be consumed at the various meals and snacks from day to day.
• A meal plan generally includes about 3 to 4 carbohydrate choices at meals and 1 to 2 choices at snack times. These numbers vary based on calorie needs and other individual considerations. Talk with a registered dietitian about the appropriate numbers for you.
• One carbohydrate choice equals 15 grams of carbohydrate, which equals one serving from the milk, fruit, or starch groups.
• Meals and snacks should be eaten at about the same time each day.
• A carbohydrate choice that is not eaten at one meal cannot be carried over to another meal or snack.