What is carbohydrate counting?
Counting carbohydrates is one way to plan your meals and keep your blood glucose (sugar) on target. Carbohydrates are one of the three main energy sources in food, along with protein and fat. It’s the balance between the carbohydrates you eat and insulin that determines how much your blood glucose levels rise after you eat. With the right balance of carbohydrates and insulin, your blood glucose level will usually stay in your target range. Counting carbohydrate servings can help you reach your blood glucose goals and prevent diabetes complications. You can learn to use carbohydrate counting to choose what and how much to eat. Carbohydrate counting can be easier to use than other meal planning methods. If you take insulin, you can use carbohydrate counting to decide how much insulin to take.
