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Counting your carbohydrate
intake is important if you are a diabetic and following
a careful diabetes diet.
The change in dietary guidelines also came about because
there was little scientific evidence for the assumption
that simple sugars raise blood sugar more than complex sugars.
Research shows that it's the total amount of carbohydrate
eaten at a given time, rather than the type of carbohydrate,
that's the most important factor in blood sugar control.
In other words, whether you're eating a potato or a small
amount of table sugar, your body breaks it down the same
way.
The body breaks down different types of foods at different
rates. Carbohydrates (be it potato or table sugar) typically
take from five minutes to three hours to digest, while protein
takes three to six hours and fat can take eight or more
hours. Knowing this can help you understand the effects
different foods have on blood sugar, such as why ice cream
(higher in fat) raises blood sugar levels more slowly than
potatoes.
Some people with diabetes use a technique called carbohydrate
counting as part of the tight control of their diabetes
diet. Although it sounds difficult, it really isn't. It's
just a way to give you more variety in how much and what
to eat.
Carbohydrate counting means counting the total number of
grams of carbohydrates you should eat at a meal or planned
snack time based on your medication and exercise habits.
Then you can choose how to meet those carbohydrate needs.
You'll probably use a carbohydrate counting book, which
you can get at a supermarket or bookstore. If you want to
learn how to really count carbohydrates, make an appointment
with a dietitian or a diabetes educator.
Remember that it will take a while to learn how to calculate
your insulin needs in terms of the carbohydrates you eat
and to adjust for exercise and changes in diet. With practice
and help, you can have a satisfying diet and keep your blood
sugar under control, too.
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