Understanding Carbohydrates

If you have Type 1 Diabetes, you must match your carbohydrate intake to your insulin dose. To get the best blood glucose result, your carbohydrate count must be accurate.

When you have Type 2 Diabetes, your blood sugar will go up if you eat too much carbohydrate. And if you are treated with oral medications that release insulin from the pancreas or insulin, you must match your carbohydrate intake to your medication dose. To get the best blood glucose result, you need to know how much carbohydrate is in your food and regulate your carbohydrate intake.

The best way to regulate your carbohydrate intake is to “count the carbohydrates” in your food. Carbohydrates are counted in grams – and even a few grams more or less can make a difference in your blood glucose reading.

 

 

 

 

 

On this page, you will learn about:

Chemistry, digestion and sources of carbohydrates

Chemistry of carbohydrate

Carbohydrate is sugar – and includes both single sugar units called sugar (or glucose) and chains of sugar units chemically linked together called starch. Carbohydrate has to be broken down into single sugar units to be absorbed. Glucose is the most common sugar unit in our food and in our bodies.

Graphic: Sucrose and Starch are Comprised of Sugar

Digestion of carbohydrate

Carbohydrate has to be broken down into single sugar units to be absorbed.

Graphic: How starch enters the bloodstream

Sources of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are found in:

  • Rice, grains, cereals, and pasta
  • Breads, tortillas, crackers, bagels and rolls
  • Dried beans, split peas and lentils
  • Vegetables like potatoes, corn, peas and winter squash
  • Fruit
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Sugars like table sugar and honey
  • Foods and drinks made with sugar, like regular soft drinks and desserts

Fiber

What about fiber? Fiber is a complex carbohydrate found in fruit, vegetables and whole grains. However, while you can eat fiber, you do not digest it. It will not cause your blood glucose levels to rise, so you do not need to take insulin to cover the fiber.

Additional Resource Materials

We have compiled resources for you to learn more about carbohydrates and their role in managing your care.

Here is a list of topics in print-friendly PDF format ready for download: