Diabetes In Children: Counting Carbs

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Introduction

Carbohydrate counting is a skill that can help you and your child plan his or her meals to manage diabetes and control blood sugar. Carbohydrate counting also can allow your child to eat a variety of foods, just like other kids, and to increase his or her sense of control and confidence in managing diabetes.

When you and your child know how much carbohydrate is in food, you can spread it throughout the day and control portion sizes. This helps to keep your child's blood sugar in his or her target range after meals. High blood sugar can make your child feel tired and thirsty and, over time, can damage many body organs and tissues.

Key points

• Carbohydrate is the nutrient that makes blood sugar rise the most.
• Using this method to provide consistent carbohydrate at each meal helps a child maintain blood sugar at his or her target level.
• You should consult a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator to help you and your child understand and use carbohydrate counting.

 What is carbohydrate counting?

 Why do carbohydrate counting?

 How do you count carbohydrates?

 Where to go from here

More information about diabetes in children can be found in these topics:

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