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Carbohydrate-Counting Chart for People with Diabetes

A Single-Serving Reference Guide

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian
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Carbohydrates are your body’s main energy source. During digestion, sugar (simple carbohydrates) and starches (complex carbohydrates) break down into blood sugar (glucose). If you consume too much carbohydrate-rich food at one time, your blood sugar levels may rise too high, which can be problematic. Monitoring your carbohydrate intake is a key to blood sugar control, as outlined in a plan by your doctor or dietitian.

Carbohydrates are found in lots of different foods. But the healthiest carbohydrate choices include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, and low-fat dairy products. The chart below shows a single serving of carbohydrate-containing foods, which equals 15 grams: Continued ›
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About The Author

Becky Hand Becky Hand
Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. Through her company, An Ounce of Prevention, she makes nutrition principles practical, easy to apply and fun. See all of Becky's articles.

Member Comments

  • I had to reduce my screen print size to 75% before I could see the print button on the bottom left side of article. Hope it helps everyone! - 4/16/2013 8:29:21 PM
  • DUSKIE1
    All those people asking about a print out of this chart, you must know someone that has a printer!!!! just send the page or article to them and have them PRINT it out for you.
    also I would suggest finding out where your diabetes centre is in your city , they have lots of information sheets for you... - 4/14/2013 5:14:12 PM
  • PHOLLIS-GARNER
    With all the "tips" and other articles I just don't know what is the best route. I mean, I know to count carbs and keep up with insulin levels but I just don't seem to catch on. - 4/1/2013 10:10:48 PM
  • DAVEN1969
    everybody talks about carbs and fat content. i watched these and my blood pressure went up because the sodium content in a lot of the low carb foods is outrageous - 3/26/2013 1:07:06 AM
  • Great article. Carbs are my downfall, bread especially! - 3/20/2013 7:27:27 AM
  • Over-consumption of sugar causes diabetes:
    http://opiniona
    tor.blogs.nyt
    imes.com/2013
    /02/27/its-th
    e-sugar-folks
    /?WT.mc_id=NY
    T-E-I-NYT-E-AT-0306-L19&nl=el

    Eliminate the sugars, the simple starches (white flour), increase your fat, and you will lose weight and manage your diabetes better. - 3/17/2013 5:10:31 PM
  • What good is a list of mostly junk foods? Go no-sugar, no-wheat, low-carb, high fat and watch your diabetes numbers improve. - 3/17/2013 10:37:29 AM
  • DHOGEBOOM1
    I have been diabetic for 35 years and I haven't died yet because of eating healthy foods -- fruit, and whole grain bread. I keep track of the carbs and keep within the limit (usually). I have no idea what you eat but overdoing it on protein is hard on the kidneys which is also at risk for a diabetic. I know a diabetic who was on the Aitkens diet -- lost lots of weight, died of kidney failure. I was diagnosed with kidney disease 30 years ago and finally the renal specialist told me not to go back because there was just no change in my kidney function. No one said to eat a bushel of apples or a whole loaf of bread in a day. Eating sensibly and getting all the daily required nutrients is what it is all about. - 3/17/2013 6:38:48 AM
  • great article, sensible portions, eat all food groups...stay out of center isles in
    supermarkets..e
    at fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein - 3/17/2013 1:52:15 AM
  • JELABEDI
    seems I must agree on the lack of "real food" inf. I also eat green beans, rarely eat cakes, and my primary beverges are milk, coffee, water , and orange juice. I rely on package labels, but no inf. on a bunch of brocolli or green onions. Sometimes I'm hurt by the assumption that my diet consists of junk food. - 1/26/2013 7:16:29 PM
  • JELABEDI
    seems I must agree on the lack of "real food" inf. I also eat green beans, rarely eat cakes, and my primary beverges are milk, coffee, water , and orange juice. I rely on package labels, but no inf. on a bunch of brocolli or green onions. Sometimes I'm hurt by the assumption that my diet consists of junk food. - 1/26/2013 7:14:35 PM
  • If I ate like they are suggesting I would probably be dead by now. How can you still recommend that a diabetic eat breads and even fruit which is the worst kind of sugar? OMG. PLEASE do your homework, everyone. - 10/26/2012 5:15:05 PM
  • LIMAJAHAN
    I m PCOS patient, trying to conceive, dr suggests me to take low carb food, so this also helps me a lot, thank u very much. It will b very helpful for me if u give some meal plan only for PCOS patient. Thanks again. - 10/6/2012 11:19:11 PM
  • Thanks Unicorn for the tip about the print button! I would have never found it by myself. - 8/20/2012 10:51:46 AM
  • On my screen, the print button is off the edge of the screen on the left margin. - 5/20/2012 7:59:55 PM