FAQs about Diabetes and Carbohydrates

When you're diagnosed with diabetes, everything you eat becomes important. Carbohydrates are the most essential factor of food you take in. They directly affect your blood glucose almost immediately after you eat them. Some carbs affect blood glucose levels more than others. Learning about carbs and knowing how foods affect your blood sugar can help you maintain better control.

• What is a carbohydrate?
• Why count carbs?
• How do carbs affect blood sugar?
• How many carbs a day are right for me?
• How many grams of carbs equals one carbohydrate choice?
• Why should my daily carb intake be consistent?
• How do I balance my daily carb intake?
• Are low-carb or no-carb diets OK for people with diabetes?
• What's the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates?
• What is the glycemic index?

Keeping track of your carbs can help you keep your blood glucose levels closer to normal. Pick whole grains and fiber-rich carbs instead of processed, packaged, low-fiber carbs, to get the most nutritional bang for your buck.