What is a Carbohydrate?What is a Carbohydrate?

Presented by Florida Health Care Plans Presented by Florida Health Care Plans Diabetes Education DepartmentDiabetes Education Department

Authored by:Authored by:Cara Meece MS, RD, LD, CDECara Meece MS, RD, LD, CDE

In this presentation you will learn:In this presentation you will learn:

Nutrients definedNutrients defined Carbohydrates definedCarbohydrates defined What foods contain carbohydrates?What foods contain carbohydrates? Why do I need to know what foods have Why do I need to know what foods have

carbohydrates?carbohydrates? Carbohydrates and blood sugar controlCarbohydrates and blood sugar control Specifics for youSpecifics for you SummarySummary

Nutrients DefinedNutrients Defined What are nutrients?What are nutrients?

““A chemical that an organism needs to live A chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment.”in from its environment.”

They enrich the body.They enrich the body. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient)(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient)

The macronutrients (Nutrients needed in The macronutrients (Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities) include: relatively large quantities) include: protein protein fatfat carbohydratecarbohydrate

Nutrients Defined (cont.)Nutrients Defined (cont.)

The macronutrients (Nutrients needed in The macronutrients (Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities) include: relatively large quantities) include:

Protein Protein

FatFat

CarbohydrateCarbohydrate

What the major nutrients we eat doWhat the major nutrients we eat do ProteinProtein

Used to build enzymes, tissues, hormones, other Used to build enzymes, tissues, hormones, other body chemicals and to repair tissue. body chemicals and to repair tissue.

((http://http://www.webmd.comwww.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/benefits-protein/fitness-exercise/guide/benefits-protein))

FatFat Provides us with insulation and stored energy Provides us with insulation and stored energy They also help with inflammation control, blood They also help with inflammation control, blood

clotting, and brain development. clotting, and brain development. ((http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002468.htmhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002468.htm))

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Our main energy source Our main energy source Part of the framework for DNA and RNA’s structurePart of the framework for DNA and RNA’s structure Found in cell walls of plants Found in cell walls of plants ((http://http://en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate/wiki/Carbohydrate))

Carbohydrates DefinedCarbohydrates Defined

Carbohydrates contain many nutrients our Carbohydrates contain many nutrients our body’s need- vitamins, minerals, and fiberbody’s need- vitamins, minerals, and fiber

Foods that contain carbohydrate break Foods that contain carbohydrate break down in the digestive system into glucose.down in the digestive system into glucose.

Glucose in the body is? Glucose in the body is? The simplest form of carbohydrates. The simplest form of carbohydrates. What the body uses for energy.What the body uses for energy.

Why do I need to know what foods Why do I need to know what foods have Carbohydrates?have Carbohydrates?

When I have diabetes the foods I eat When I have diabetes the foods I eat breakdown differently than normalbreakdown differently than normal Foods break down into carbohydrates, Foods break down into carbohydrates,

proteins, and fatproteins, and fat The carbohydrates break down into glucoseThe carbohydrates break down into glucose Glucose enters the bloodstreamGlucose enters the bloodstream Glucose can not get from the bloodstream into Glucose can not get from the bloodstream into

the cell as normal = raised blood sugar levels the cell as normal = raised blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)(hyperglycemia)

Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Sugar Levels and Carbohydrate IntakeCarbohydrate Intake

What happens if I eat too few What happens if I eat too few carbohydrates?carbohydrates? I may have hypoglycemia (low blood sugars)I may have hypoglycemia (low blood sugars)

What if I have too many carbohydrates at What if I have too many carbohydrates at a meal?a meal? I may have hyperglycemia (high blood sugars)I may have hyperglycemia (high blood sugars)

What Foods Contain What Foods Contain Carbohydrates?Carbohydrates?

Starches/Grains- (bread, cereal, pasta, Starches/Grains- (bread, cereal, pasta, rice crackers, tortillas), legumes, and rice crackers, tortillas), legumes, and starchy vegetables (corn, peas, potatoes)starchy vegetables (corn, peas, potatoes)

Fruit- fruit, fruit juices, canned and dried Fruit- fruit, fruit juices, canned and dried fruitfruit

Milk- milk and yogurtMilk- milk and yogurt Sweets- desserts, sodas, candy, syrup, Sweets- desserts, sodas, candy, syrup,

honey, jams, and sugarhoney, jams, and sugar

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar ControlControl

Foods that contain carbohydrates give Foods that contain carbohydrates give us energy, however some meals tend to us energy, however some meals tend to have large amount of carbohydrates.have large amount of carbohydrates.

To many carbohydrates at one meal = ?To many carbohydrates at one meal = ?

Hyperglycemia Hyperglycemia

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar ControlCarbohydrates and Blood Sugar Control Example: MaryExample: Mary

Before lunch Before lunch • Blood sugar = 87Blood sugar = 87• Food = ham sandwich with a small apple.Food = ham sandwich with a small apple.

Before DinnerBefore Dinner• Blood sugar = 108Blood sugar = 108• Food = 2 cups mashed potatoes, carrots and 2 slices Food = 2 cups mashed potatoes, carrots and 2 slices

breadbread• Blood sugar before bed- 203Blood sugar before bed- 203

What could have caused the high blood sugar?What could have caused the high blood sugar? The high amount of carbohydrates at dinner.The high amount of carbohydrates at dinner.

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar Control (continued)Control (continued)

The portion size or combination of foods I eat The portion size or combination of foods I eat can effect my blood sugar levels. can effect my blood sugar levels.

If I have diabetes and eat large amounts of If I have diabetes and eat large amounts of high carbohydrate containing foods, what high carbohydrate containing foods, what may happen to my blood sugar? may happen to my blood sugar? It will rise.It will rise.

What if I don’t eat enough carbohydrates at a What if I don’t eat enough carbohydrates at a meal? meal? My blood sugar may drop to low.My blood sugar may drop to low.

SummarySummary By knowing what foods have By knowing what foods have

carbohydrates and portioning them, I can carbohydrates and portioning them, I can help improve my blood sugar control.help improve my blood sugar control.

Carbohydrates break down differently in Carbohydrates break down differently in my body when I have diabetes vs. when I my body when I have diabetes vs. when I do not.do not.

The 3 major nutrients we eat are protein, The 3 major nutrients we eat are protein, fat, and carbohydrate.fat, and carbohydrate.

Nutrients are required for human survival Nutrients are required for human survival and they enrich our body.and they enrich our body.

Specific Recommendations for YouSpecific Recommendations for You

To find out how many carbohydrates you need a To find out how many carbohydrates you need a day…day…

Call our Health Education Department atCall our Health Education Department at

386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518

For more information on diabetes, it is recommended that you attend our 10-hour American Diabetes

Association (ADA) recognized Diabetes self-management classes.

You will receive an individualized meal plan.You will receive an individualized meal plan.

Other RecommendationsOther Recommendations

If you have been to our classes and If you have been to our classes and want to see a want to see a Registered DietitianRegistered Dietitian for for a morea more individualized approach…individualized approach…

please call theplease call the

Member/Health Education DepartmentMember/Health Education Department

386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518