Cook Children’s 1

Ashley Cunningham RD, LD, CDE

Carbohydrate Counting and Diabetes

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Type 1 Diabetes

Why count carbohydrates?• To follow a meal plan Ex: 60g carbs at meals, 30g carbs

at snacks

• To use an insulin-to-carb meal ratio Ex: 1:15 One unit of insulin/ 15 grams of

carb

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Type 1 Diabetes

• Encourage a healthy, balanced diet

However…..

They can eat cookies, cake, candy and other sweets occasionally.

They must fit them into the meal plan.• Recommend sugar-free drinks

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Type 2 Diabetes

Why count carbohydrates?

• To follow a meal plan

• To use in insulin-to-carb meal ratio

• Portion control!

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Type 2 Diabetes• Need weight loss• Encourage a healthy, balanced diet

• Limit desserts, candy, etc• Only sugar-free drinks• No juice!!• Drink white, low-fat or non-fat milk• Limit fried foods• More vegetables!!

• Encourage daily activity

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Carbohydrate FoodsStarches and grains

• Bread, cereal, tortillas• Rice and pasta• Crackers, pretzels, chips, popcorn• Starchy vegetables:

• Beans (pinto, black, kidney, etc)• Corn • Potatoes• Peas

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Carbohydrate Foods

• Milk and Yogurt• Fruit- fresh, frozen, canned, dried,

juice• Sweets, desserts, jelly and jam,

syrups• Sugared drinks

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Free Foods

≤5 grams of carbohydrate/ serving• Non-starchy vegetables

• Lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, carrots, pickles, jalapeños

• Fats

• Butter, oils, shortening, avocado, olives, bacon, cream

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Free Foods• Protein

• Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese

• Condiments• Mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce• Spices and herbs• Artificial sweeteners (Splenda®,

Sweet-n-Low®, Equal®)

• Sugar-free drinks

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Free Foods You Might Count

…Depending on amount eatenNuts and Peanut ButterSeedsKetchupBBQ SauceLow-fat Salad Dressings

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Which foods in this school lunch are carbohydrates?

Chicken Nuggets with Texas Toast

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Broccoli with Cheese

Fruit Juice

Milk

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Which foods in this school lunch are carbohydrates?

Chicken Nuggets with Texas Toast

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Broccoli with Cheese

Fruit Juice

Milk

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Grams of Carbohydrate

Measure based on serving sizes

Read Labels

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Serving Sizes

1 serving of carb= 15 grams• Bread- One slice• Pasta, rice- 1/3 cup• Corn, mashed potatoes- ½ cup• Milk- 1 cup• Fruit- 4oz apple, banana, glass of juice• Ice cream- ½ cup vanilla

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Label Reading

Only read two parts of the labelServing size

Total Carbohydrates (gm)

Do NOT read sugar!

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Education Material

“Choose your Foods: Exchange Lists for Diabetes”

www.diabetes.org

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References

1. American Diabetes Association, Inc., American Dietetic Association. Choose Your Foods: Exchange List for Diabetes. 2008.

2. Franz, M. A Core Curriculum for Diabetes Education, Diabetes Management Therapies; Fifth Edition. Chicago, IL: American Association Of Diabetes Educators; 2003.