To keep your blood sugar under control, you should track how many carbs you're eating and how often you eat them. If you take mealtime insulin, you'll count carbs to match your insulin dose to the number of carbs in your foods and drinks. You may also take additional insulin if your blood sugar is higher than your target when eating. Carbs are measured in grams. On packaged foods, you can find total carb grams on the Nutrition Facts label.
What are the different types of carbs?
There are three types of carbs:
- Sugars, such as the natural sugar in fruit and milk or the added sugar in soda and many other packaged foods.
- Starches, including wheat, oats, and other grains; starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes; and dried beans, lentils, and peas.
- Fiber, the part of plant foods that aren't digested but helps you stay healthy. Sugars and starches raise your blood sugar, but fiber doesn't.
Talk with your dietitian about the right amount of carbs for you, and be sure to update your meal plan if your needs change (for example, if you get more active, you may increase how much carbs you eat).