How to Do Diabetic Counting

Carbohydrate counting is the center focus of the diabetic diet. Knowing exactly what the carbohydrate count is in your food will help you to be able to determine your insulin dosage, if you are an insulin-dependent diabetic. For type 2 diabetics who do not take insulin, knowing the carbohydrate counts allow you to manage your daily carbohydrate allotment accurately to avoid unnecessary blood sugar spikes. A diabetic diet should be well balanced, with moderate carbohydrates and caloric intake. Improper counting of carbohydrates and calories can cause weight gain and high blood sugars which can be detrimental to your health.

Things You'll Need

• Meal Plan with daily intake recommendations
• Food chart

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Instructions

• 1

  When preparing any meals, read the nutrition labels to determine the fat, calorie, and carbohydrate content per serving. Verify the actual recommended serving size.

• 2

  On your food chart, record each food you are eating, and for every 15 grams of carbohydrates, deduct one carbohydrate choice from your daily allotment. This daily intake recommendation should come from your diabetic nutritionist. Typically, between 40% and 60% of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, but your nutritionist will provide a target percentage that is right for you.

• 3

  Record the fat content for each item on your food chart, and deduct it from your daily fat intake. For every five grams of fat, you should deduct one fat serving.

• 4

  Record the total calories contained in your meal, and deduct it from your daily allotment. Your recommended caloric intake should come from your diabetic nutritionist as part of your full-meal plan.

• 5

  For each serving of fruit or vegetables, record those and deduct them from your daily fruit and vegetable allotment. It is important to eat all of your recommended servings of fruits and vegetables daily as they provide needed vitamins and minerals.

• 6

  Be sure to balance your carbohydrate choices evenly between your meals, as recommended by your diabetic nutritionist. If you add an extra carbohydrate choice to one meal, be sure to deduct that carbohydrate choice from another meal.