2. OBJECTIVES
Defining carbohydrates (CHO)
How to apply basic & advanced CHO
counting to diabetes nutrition management.
Demonstrate CHO counting using the
nutrition facts label for the patient with
diabetes.
Illustrate factors the patient with diabetes
should consider when adjusting CHO for
physical activity.
3. DEFINITIONS
Carbohydrate Counting is a method of calculating the
number of grams of CHO consumed at meals and
snacks. It is not a specific diet, but a meal planning
approach to promote glycemic control.
4. GOALS OF
CARBOHYDRATE COUNTING
Maintain consistency of carbohydrate intake at
meals and snacks.
Increase flexibility in the patient’s diet using CHO
counting skills.
Manage blood glucose as they relate to food
intake, diabetes medication, and physical activity.
5. WHAT ARE
CARBOHYDRATES?
Carbohydrates is a macronutrient vital for
metabolic functioning.
The digestive system breaks down CHO into
simple sugars, known as glucose, which is then
absorbed into the bloodstream.
7. WHAT FOODS HAVE LITTLE OR NO
CARBOHYDRATES?
Non-starchy vegetables
Dark leafy greens, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage
Fats: slows glucose absorption, delaying peak glycemic
response when CHO are ingested.
Nuts, oils, butters, avocado
Protein: minimal effect on raising blood glucose
Beef, poultry, seafood
Eggs, cheese, tofu
8. STEPS TO LEARNING BASIC
CARBOHYDRATE COUNTING
Step 1: Identify foods containing CHO,
protein, and fat.
Step 2: Define 1 carbohydrate choice as 15
grams carbohydrate.
Step 3: Count total carbohydrates in the
meal.
9. WHAT IS ONE SERVING OF
CARBOHYDRATE?
15 grams of carbohydrate = 1 choice of
carbohydrate
Examples:
- 1/2 cup of cooked beans, corn, or peas
- 1/3 cup cooked rice, pasta
- 1 corn tortilla, 1 slice of bread
- 8 oz milk, ½ cup ice cream
- 1 small apple (4 oz), ½ cup fruit cocktail, ½ large
banana
10. GENERAL GUIDELINES:
CARBS PER MEAL
Women Men
To lose weight: 30-45 grams To lose weight: 45-60 grams
To maintain weight: 45-60 grams To maintain weight: 60-75 grams
Snacks: 15 - 30 grams Snacks: 15 - 30 grams
11. ADVANCED CARBOHYDRATE
COUNTING
Match fast-acting insulin doses to grams of CHO
intake based on CHO-to-insulin ratios and correction
factors.
Willingness/ability to keep food, physical activity,
and BG logs.
Multiple visits and ongoing support from a Diabetes
Management team is recommended.
12. HOW TO DETERMINE INSULIN TO CARB RATIO
The insulin : CHO ratio formula
This can be calculated using the Rule of “500.”
500 ÷ Total Daily Insulin Dose (TDD)
= 1 unit of insulin to cover X amount of grams of carbohydrate
Example:
TDD = 40 units
500 ÷ TDD (40 units) = 12.5 (round up to 13)
= 1:13 g CHO
1 unit is needed per 13 grams of CHO
13. OTHER METHODS TO MEASURE YOUR
CARBS
Plate Method:
Introduced in 2010 when the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans was
updated.
Portion Measuring Tools:
Use hands and household items to
measure out portion sizes.
Reading Food Labels:
Provide guidelines to make healthy
food purchases for both meals and
snacks.
Mobile/Computer Apps:
Input amounts of daily physical
activity and intake of carbohydrates.
15. GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATE
BREAKDOWN
Food Group/ Type Serving Size Approximate Grams of
Carbohydrate
Watermelon 1 cup 12grams
Corn Tortillas 2 30grams
Pinto Beans (no oil) ½ cup 15grams
Raw Vegetables: romaine
lettuce
tomatoes
cucumbers
lime
1 cup
3 slices
3 slices
1 wedge
5grams or less
TOTAL MEAL
CARBOHYDRATES:
62 grams
17. GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATE
BREAKDOWN
Food Group/ Type Serving Size Approximate Grams of
Carbohydrates
Grapes 8 small 7.5 grams
Tacos (only ground beef) 2 30 grams
Mexican Brown Rice 1/3 cup 15 grams
Unsweetened Sweet Tea 8 fl oz 0 grams
Raw Vegetables:
romaine lettuce
red onions
tomatoes
1 cup
9 slices
4 slices
5 grams or less
TOTAL MEAL
CARBOHYDRATES
57.5 grams
19. GRAMS OF CARBOHYDRATES
BREAKDOWN
Food Group/Type Serving Size Approximate Grams of
Carbohydrates
Apple (small) 4 oz 15grams
Brown Rice 1/3 cup 15 grams
Tilapia Fillet 3 oz 0 grams
Milk 1% 1 cup 12 grams
Mixed Vegetables: (cooked)
carrots
zucchini squash
celery
onion
1 cup total 10grams
TOTAL MEAL
CARBOHYDRATES
52 grams
21. HOW TO READ A FOOD LABEL
The total grams of
carbohydrate includes the
carbohydrate in fiber, sugars,
and sugar alcohols.
Sugar alcohol is INCOMPLETELY absorbed. Estimate that only half of the sugar in
sugar alcohol will be absorbed and impact your blood sugar.
Ex: 18g Cho/ 2= 9grams of CHO
TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE PER SERVING is
29 grams CHO minus 9 grams CHO for the sugar alcohol= 20 grams CHO
22. FOOD LABELS CONTINUED….
Fiber has to be subtracted
from the Total Carbohydrate
Total CHO (10g)
-Fiber 5g (half) (5g/ 2= 2.5g)
=7.5 grams of CHO
The total carbohydrate tells
how many grams of
carbohydrate are in 1 serving
23. MOBILE AND COMPUTER APPS
MyFitnessPal: Allows easy and
up to date tracking of daily
intake and physical activity.
CarbsControl: Keeps a
carbohydrate diary, has a large
nutrition database, and set
daily goals.
Track3: Tracks high and low
blood glucose levels, records
workout sessions, and
produces email log to self or
diabetes management team.
24. TYPE 2 DIABETES AND EXERCISE
Individuals with Type 2
diabetes can decrease
insulin resistance through
exercise.
Studies have shown that
exercise regimens can lower
A1c and glucose levels.
When combined with
proper nutrition an
individual can lower
medication needs
25. TYPE 1 DIABETES AND EXERCISE
Moderate Intensity: After 20-30 minutes Type 1 diabetics
have a higher disposition to hypoglycemia.
Ex: walking briskly or general gardening
Endurance Activities: They are also more likely to experience
hypoglycemia following these types of activities.
Ex: swimming pool laps or jogging
Short and High Intensity: Immediately following a quick and
intense type of exercise Type 1 diabetics have a greater
chance of hyperglycemia.
Ex: kickboxing or running
26. RULE OF 15
1.) Check blood glucose and
proceed if below 70.
2.) Eat or drink 15 grams of
carbohydrates.
3.) Wait 15 minutes re-check if still
below 70 repeat step 2.
4.) If next meal is more than 1 hour
away eat one carbohydrate choice.
Ex: granola bar (15grams)
5.) Always carry something on your
person to treat hypoglycemia.
27. 15 GRAM CARBOHYDRATE EXAMPLES FOR
TREATMENT
3-4 glucose tablets
1 tube of glucose gel
4 ounces fruit juice
4 ounces sugar
sweetened soda
5 life savers
28. Types of Physical
Activity
Glucose Ranges Grams of
carbohydrates
Examples
Short Duration -80-99mg/dl
- 100mg/dl or above
-10 to 15 grams
-not required
1 fruit or
granola bar
Moderate Intensity -80-99mg/dl or less
-100-179mg/dl
-180-299mg/dl
-300mg/dl or greater
-25 to 50 grams pre-
workout then 10 to
15grams/hr if
needed
-10 to 15 grams
-not required
-Don’t exercise
½ turkey
sandwich
with 1 fruit or
milk
2 graham
crackers
-------------
-------------
Strenuous Activity -80-100mg/dl
-180-299mg/dl
-300mg/dl or greater
-50 grams
-10 to 15 grams
-Don’t exercise
1 ham
sandwich
with milk
1 fruit
-------------
29. THINGS TO REMEMBER
Discuss the role and types of macronutrients there are
with patients.
Pick the carbohydrate counting method that will be suit
each individual’s needs.
Encourage individuals to track their carbohydrate intake
and physical activity level to achieve glucose goals.
30. RESOURCES
Carbohydrate Counting: A Practical Meal-Planning Option for People with
Diabetes, Clinical Diabetes, 2005, v23, n3.
Dietary Carbohydrate (Amount and Type) in the Prevention and
Management of Diabetes, The American Diabetes Association, 2004.
Carbohydrate Counting for People with Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes
Spectrum, 2008, v13, n8.
Carbohydrate Counting and Meal Planning, Novo Nordisk, 2013.
Practical Carbohydrate Counting, The American Diabetes Association, 2001.
Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, The American Diabetes Association, The
American Dietetic Association, 1995.
Andrews, R C., Cooper A. R., Montgomery, A.A., Norcross, A. J., Peters, T. J.,
et al. (2011). Diet or diet plus physical activity versus usual care in patients
with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The Lancet. V378: 129-139
Carbohydrates can be counted by using the Gram Method or Carbohydrate Choices Method.
Carbohydrates is the main nutrient affecting post-prandial glycemic response.
Total amount of carbohydrates consumed in a meal/snack is equally important as the type of carbohydrates consumed.
Glucose is the primary fuel used by the brain, and central nervous system.
Carbohydrates are important sources of water-soluble vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Following-up with patients as needed for reinforcement regarding diabetes education, as well as adjusting medications.
Novolog Echo pen gives half doses.
Watermelon serving is 1 ¼ cup= 15grams (1 cup is 80% of serving) 0.8x 15grams= 12grams
Serving of small grapes = 17 small = 15grams carbohydrate (8 small grapes = 50%) 0.5x 15grams CHO= 7.5grams CHO
Cooked non-starchy vegetable servings = ½ cup at 5 grams of carbohydrate. One full cup is approximately 10 grams CHO.
1.) Moderate Intensity:
Injected insulin does not reduce upon commencing exercise.
Levels can actually increase because exercise promotes blood flow and absorption.
This then leads to over-insulinization which blocks hepatic glucose production.
2.) Endurance Activities:
Increase the transfer of glucose into the muscles.
This increases the need of insulin dependent transporters (GLUT 4) during exercise.
There is then a need to replenish muscle and hepatic glycogen stores.
3.) Short and High Intensity:
Catecholamine which is a hormone produced from adrenal glands is dramatically increased during this activity.
This increase triggers the over production of glucose.
Type 1 diabetics cannot compensate by increasing insulin production.
Do not forget to carry something on your person to treat hypoglycemic episodes.
Recommend incorporating high fiber snacks of at least (3grams of carbohydrate) or more.