Ashley Cunningham RD, LD, CDE

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Carbohydrate Counting and Diabetes

• Ashley Cunningham RD, LD, CDE

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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 115
• 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 Foods

• Starches 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 eaten
• Nuts and Peanut Butter
• Seeds
• Ketchup
• BBQ Sauce
• Low-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
Read Labels

• Measure based on serving
  sizes

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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 label
• Serving 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.