Understanding ‘carbs’ is central to successful diabetes management. This section is about how much carbohydrate is in different foods and the effect it has on blood glucose levels (‘glycaemic index’).
And . . .
Don’t forget what you have already learnt about how much carbohydrate you need, when you need it, and what type is best (refer to page 12 of The Traffic Light Guide book). Putting it all together will help you manage your blood glucose levels better.
This means:
- knowing how much carbohydrate you eat in meals and snacks
- thinking about when you eat and how your insulin regimen works in relation to the food – your health care team will help you find an insulin regimen that best matches your eating
- ensure adequate activity patterns
- being aware of the type of carbohydrate you eat
- experimentation and a wider food choice
- greater confidence about managing diabetes.
As discussed in earlier sections, carbohydrates are an important source of energy for your body. They also play an important part in managing your blood glucose levels.
- all carbohydrates, both sugars and starches, are broken down in the body to glucose that provides the body with energy. Understanding more about how carbohydrate foods affect your blood glucose level will allow you to experiment with different food and expand the range of food you eat giving you greater confidence about managing diabetes.
A blood glucose meter gives daily information about blood glucose levels.
