This document provides information on counting carbohydrates for managing blood sugar levels for those with diabetes. It discusses that carbohydrates have the greatest effect on post-meal blood sugar, and counting carbs allows for better glucose control and more flexibility. Standard serving sizes are outlined for various food groups containing carbohydrates like breads, fruits, milk, and starchy vegetables. Artificial sweeteners and proper portion sizes are also discussed as important factors for blood sugar management.

1. Count Your Carbs
And Eat them TOO!
Presented By: Meaghan Anderson MS, RD, LD, CDE

2. Insulin amount is
matched to food amount
Insulin
For Type 1 Diabetes…

3. This nutrient has the most
effect on blood sugar?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Fat
C. Fiber
D. Protein
E. Sugar

4. Why Count Carbs???
• BETTER GLUCOSE CONTROL
– Carbohydrate is the primary nutrient that
raises post meal blood sugars
• Allows for more flexibility with food
choices
• Easy to teach and learn

5. Macronutrient Conversion to
Blood Glucose

6. Food Groups Containing Carbohydrate
Fruits
Starches and Breads
Milk
Sweets

7. Which of the following is not equal to 1
carb choice of the bread group?
A. 1 slice bread
B. 1 small roll
C. ½ cup pasta
D. 15 french fries

8. Bread Group
• Bread
– 1 slice
– ½ bun
– Small dinner roll
– 1 small flour tortilla
– 2 small corn tortillas
• Potato
– ½ cup mashed
– 10-15 french fries
– 3 oz potato
• Pasta
– 1/3 cup noodles
– 1/3 cup rice
• Cereal
– ½ cup cooked
– ¾ cup unsweetened
– ½ cup sweetened
• Starchy Vegetables
– ½ cup corn
– ½ cup peas
– ½ cup beans
– 1/3 cup baked beans

9. Which of the following is not equal to 1 carb
choice of the fruit group?
A. 1 cup melon
B. 15 grapes
C. 1 banana
D. 1 medium peach

10. Fruit Group
• Medium apple, orange,
peach or pear
• ½ cup applesauce
• ½ banana
• ½ cup juice
• 1 cup berries
• 12-15 cherries or
grapes
• ½ cup canned fruit
• 1 cup melon

11. Which of the following is not equal to 1 carb
choice of the milk group?
A. 1 cup milk
B. 8 oz light yogurt
C. 1 slice cheese
D. ½ cup regular pudding

12. Milk
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup ice cream
• 1 cup light yogurt
• ½ cup chocolate
milk
• CHEESE IS FREE!

13. Food Groups With Little or No Carbohydrate
Meat/Protein
Fats
Vegetables

14. True or False
Meat is a ALWAYS a free food?
FALS
E

15. Meat
• Meat is a free food
unless breaded or in a
high CHO sauce
– 6 chicken nuggets is a
CHO choice
– REMEMBER…breaded
meats are higher in fat!
• Purchase round or loin
cuts of beef and 90%
lean ground beef, these
are lower in fat
• Never eat the skin on
chicken!

16. True or False
Vegetables contain no
carbohydrate?
FALS

17. Vegetables
• 1 serving has 5 grams
of CHO
– A serving is ½ cup
cooked or 1 cup raw
vegetables
– Three servings is
equal to a CHO choice

18. ALL FOODS ARE
ALLOWED!

19. Sweeteners
• Dietary sucrose (i.e. table sugar)
does not increase glucose more
than starch when given in isocaloric
amounts

20. Artificial Sweeteners
• Approved By The FDA
– Acesulfame Potassium (Sweet One)
– Aspartame (Nutrasweet or Equal)
– Neotame (8000-13000 times sweeter)
– Saccharin (Sweet N Low)
– Sucralose (Splenda)
– Stevia (Truvia)
• No increase in glucose with these
sweeteners

21. Serving Size Is
Important!!!
Much More!
30 grams of Carb

22. The Whataburger Experiment

24. Jim’s Meal
• Burger 61
• Med Fry 39
• Drink 0
• Total 100
Meg’s Meal
• Burger 61
• Med Fry 59
• Drink 80
• Total 200
The Whataburger Experiment

25. Resources

26. Always Measure Portions!

27. Weighing

28. Use your hand
guide!
• Thumb
– Tip is equal to 1
teaspoon
• mayonnaise
• salad dressing
– Entire thumb is equal
to 1 ounce
• cheese
• peanut butter

29. Use your hand
guide!
• Palm
– Meat
• Equal to 3 ounces
of cooked boneless
meat
• 1 serving of protein
• Handful
– Snack foods
• 1 ounce of crackers
or chips

30. Use your hand
guide!
• Fist
– 1 cup of starchy foods
• potato
• rice
• pasta
– 1 cup of fresh vegetables

31. Tools For Estimating
Carbs

32. Label Reading
Look for…
#1 Serving Size
#2 Grams of CHO
#3 Servings per
container

33. Are you label able?
How many grams of
carbohydrate are in this
package?
54

34. Day 1
45 grams carbohydrate
Day 2
45 grams carbohydrate

35. Day 1
75 grams carbohydrate
Day 2
30 grams carbohydrate

36. True or False
If blood sugars are elevated it is okay
to cut back on carbs and omit snacks?
FALSE

37. Meal Plans
1500 Calories
210 grams of carbs
45g @ B,L,D
2 snacks @ 30 grams
1 bedtime snack @ 15
grams
1800 Calories
230 grams of carbs
60g @ B,L,D
2 snacks @ 30 grams
1 bedtime snack @ 15
grams
2000 Calories
270 grams of carbs
60g @ B; 75g @L&D
1 pm snack @ 30 grams
1 am & bedtime snack @
15 grams
2200 Calories
300 grams of carbs
75g @ B & L; 90g @ D
1pm snack @ 30 grams
1 am & bedtime snack
@ 15 grams
2400 Calories
330 grams of carbs
90g @ B,L,D
1pm snack @ 30 grams
1 am & bedtime snack
@ 15 grams

38. ?