Carbohydrate Counting - A How To Guide

Carbohydrate counting is an important skill for those with diabetes to learn. What is carbohydrate counting? It is the ability to evaluate food and sum up the amount of carbohydrates in a meal. We call this a skill because it is something that you have to work at.

For those who are advanced at carbohydrate counting they are able to discern how many carbohydrates are in a slice of bread, bowl of soup, in a serving of rice and so on and so forth. In order for one to be a good carbohydrate counter experience and knowledge is a necessity.

If you are starting to learn how to carbohydrate count an important first step can be found with references. There are many books that are specifically wrote with diabetics in mind for food references. For instance a reference will show you generally how many carbohydrates can be found in many everyday foods. They also take a step further by not only showing carbohydrates but fat, cholesterol, protein and other nutritional information. Some have decided to keep these reference guides with them at all times. This has especially helped them when they first got started. After repeated use, many of those nutritional facts become a part of your memory.

We’d also recommend reading nutritional fact labels when you are in your local supermarket. This will help to give you an idea of how many carbohydrates are in the foods you commonly eat. It may also help you to avoid something you should not eat. Make it a goal to read that label before you eat.

So say you have a turkey sandwich, salad and an apple. As you look at that meal using your carbohydrate counting skills you discern that the two slices of bread contain carbohydrates. Depending on the type of salad and dressing you are using most likely you’ll count very few carbohydrates there. And then you factor in the apple you are eating. When you see you have reached a level of carbohydrates you will instinctively know to stop eating any more carbohydrates. You have just mastered and successfully used the skill of carbohydrate counting to your health.

Finally the key here is practice makes perfect. If you make a conscientious effort to count and learn the nutritional facts of especially those meals you eat regularly you’ll be on your way to becoming a skilled carbohydrate counter.

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This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.