Diabetes is often described as a metabolic disorder whereby the pancreas stops producing insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or does not produce enough or effective insulin (Type 2 diabetes). As yet, the primary treatment for these forms of diabetes remains watching what you eat, taking regular exercise and, in the case of Type 1, injecting insulin. Watching what you eat is an effective way of managing your diabetes and many diets have been created to help people. One such diet is to count carbohydrates. This article will discus what a carbohydrate counting diabetic diet is how it can help your diabetes.

In terms of food and diets, carbohydrates are classified into simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are found in things like cakes, sugar or honey. Complex carbohydrates are seen as fruit and dairy products.

Carbohydrates provide energy to the body. After ingesting carbohydrates the body converts it to glucose which is transported via the bloodstream to the cells throughout the body.

Thus controlling the amount of carbohydrates a person eats can also control the amount of glucose or sugar that enters his/her bloodstream. This is useful as a constant or level glucose blood reading is good for diabetes. If the person knows the effect eating a certain amount of food will have on their blood sugar level they can plan o take an appropriate amount of insulin or exercise.

Carbohydrate or carb counting gives a person control over their blood sugar levels and allows them to plan their day rather than be controlled by high or low blood sugar levels.

A carb counting diet is generally worked out with a doctor or dietitian. It will involve trial and error as the diabetic determines the exact affect a type of carbohydrate will have on their blood sugar level. Once this is known, a diet can be devised.

The diet will take into effect the amount of exercise and insulin that the person takes and the type of lifestyle that the person leads. It will also consider their weight, age and size.

Although a carbohydrate counting diet is a way of controlling blood sugar levels in the body it is not a complete diet. It is recommended that carbohydrates make up only 45-65 % of calories taken in each day. The rest should be made of of proteins and fats. Carbs do not always account for essential nutrients or minerals. When utilising a carbohydrate counting diabetic diet to control your blood sugar ensure that it fits in with a diet that includes a varied diet that includes fiber, minerals and vitamins.

By Adrian Whittle

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