What are the risks to carbohydrate loading?
Carbohydrates, like proteins and fats, are one of the three main components of food that provide energy and other things the body needs. They should be part of a healthy diet for all kids, including kids with diabetes. But carbohydrates (carbs), which are found in foods such as bread, fruit, and candy, can affect a person’s blood sugar level. So if your child has diabetes, you may need to track how many carbohydrates your child eats. Following a meal plan can help kids balance carbs with medications and exercise so that they maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Like exercising and testing blood sugar regularly, tracking carbs is just another step many kids with diabetes take to stay healthy. Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar There are two main forms of carbohydrates: sugars and starches. Types of sugars include fructose (sugar found in fruit and some baked goods), glucose (the main sugar in our bodies that’s also found in foods like cake, cookies, and soft drinks), and lactose (sugar foun