Diabetes: Counting Carbs If You Don't Use Insulin

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Introduction

Carbohydrate counting is a skill that can help you plan your diet to manage type 2 diabetes and control your blood sugar. This technique helps you determine the amount of sugar and starch (carbohydrate) in the foods you eat so you can spread carbohydrate throughout the day, preventing high blood sugar after meals. Carbohydrate counting gives you the flexibility to eat what you want and increases your sense of control and confidence in managing your diabetes.

Key points

• Carbohydrate is the nutrient that most affects your blood sugar.
• Carbohydrate counting helps you maintain your blood sugar at your target level.
• You should consult a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator to help you master carbohydrate counting and plan meals.

 What is carbohydrate counting?

 Why do I need to count carbohydrate grams?

 How to count carbohydrate

 Where to go from here

More information about diabetes can be found in these topics:

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed
• Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With the Disease
• Type 1 Diabetes: Living With the Disease
• Type 1 Diabetes: Living With Complications
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed
• Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications
• Type 2 Diabetes in Children

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Last updated:	February 10, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition, Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC