Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Carbohydrates, like proteins and fats, are one of the three main components of
food that provide energy and other things the body needs. They should be part of a
healthy diet for all kids, including kids with diabetes.
But carbohydrates (carbs), which are found in foods such as bread, fruit, and candy,
can affect a person's blood
sugar level. So kids with diabetes might need to track how many carbohydrates
they eat.
Following a meal plan can help kids balance carbs with medications and exercise
so that they maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Like exercising and testing blood
sugar regularly, tracking carbs is just another step many kids with diabetes take
to stay healthy.
Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar
The two main forms of carbohydrates are sugars and starches. Types of sugars include
fructose (sugar found in fruit and some baked goods), glucose (the main sugar in our
bodies that's also found in foods like cake, cookies, and soft drinks), and lactose
(sugar found in milk and yogurt). Types of starches include vegetables like potatoes,
corn, and peas; grains, rice, and cereals; and breads.
The body breaks down or converts most carbs into glucose,
which is absorbed into the bloodstream. As the glucose level rises in the blood, the
pancreas releases the hormone insulin.
Insulin is needed to move glucose from the blood into the cells, where it's used as
an energy source.
In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (type
1 diabetes) or the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes). In both types of
diabetes, glucose can't get into the cells normally, so a person's blood sugar level
gets too high. High blood sugar levels can make people sick if they don't receive
treatment.
Carbs Can Be Part of a Healthy Diet
Eating carbohydrates makes blood sugar levels rise, but that doesn't mean that
people with diabetes should avoid them. In fact, carbs are a healthy and important
part of a nutritious diet.
For everyone — including people with diabetes — some carbohydrate-containing
foods have more health benefits than others. Whole-grain foods, vegetables, candy,
and soda all have carbohydrates. But fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods are
generally healthier than sugary foods like candy and soda because they provide fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients.
On the other hand, some foods containing carbs — like sugary snacks —
contain "empty calories." That means their calories lack nutritional value. Eating
too many empty calories can contribute to being overweight
or obese and can crowd out more nutritious foods from a daily diet. These foods
can also cause tooth decay.
Fiber is the one type of carbohydrate that does not raise blood sugar. Everyone
needs fiber — it helps you feel full and keeps the digestive system running
smoothly. Most people don't get enough of it. Some experts think that people with
diabetes should have more fiber than others to help control blood sugar levels.
Whichever type of carbohydrates your child eats, remember this: Generally, the
amount of sugar that gets into the blood after eating depends on the amount of carbs
eaten, not the type of carbs. So basically, as far as managing diabetes is concerned,
a carb is a carb. Again, the one exception to this is fiber: It is the one type of
carbohydrate that does not raise blood sugar because the body doesn't digest or absorb
it.
Your goal is to help your child achieve the right balance between the insulin in
the body and the carbs in food.
Balancing Carbohydrates
In addition to serving a balanced diet of carbs, proteins, and fats, you can also help
keep your child's blood sugar at a healthy level by:
- making sure blood sugar is tested regularly
- encouraging plenty of exercise
- making sure your child gets insulin and other medications for diabetes according
to schedule and in the right amounts
Following a meal plan helps kids with diabetes track their carbohydrate intake.
You'll work with your child and the diabetes health care team to create a meal plan
that will include general guidelines for carbohydrate intake. The team will consider
your child's age, size, weight goal, exercise level, medications, and other medical
issues, and will try to incorporate foods your child enjoys.
Usually, it's easier for most people with diabetes to control their blood sugar
levels if they eat carbs in fairly consistent amounts and at regular times each day.
Three general types of meal plans can help achieve the proper balance:
An exchange
meal plan lists items in six food groups and sets a serving size for
each food. You can mix and match the foods while keeping track of what your child
is eating, including how many carbohydrates.
With the constant carbohydrate meal plan, people eat about the
same amount of carbs and other foods every day. This can be a good approach for those
who take insulin only once or twice a day or who don't take insulin at all to control
their diabetes.
The third type of plan, carbohydrate
counting, matches a person's insulin dosage to the amount of carbs eaten.
This plan offers more flexibility and can be a good fit for people who take insulin
with each major meal and snack.
Keeping Carbs in Check
Kids may be tempted to sneak sugary snacks between meals without accounting for
insulin coverage. You might discuss this with your child, even if it hasn't happened
yet. It's healthier to create open communication about food instead of making kids
feel like they need to hide dietary slip-ups.
Emphasize that most people eat unhealthy snack food occasionally, but eating lots
of sugary junk foods can make it hard to keep a healthy blood sugar level, especially
for kids who don't take insulin. And it can lead to weight gain and painful cavities!
If you're not sure how many carbohydrates a food contains, check the food
label or ask someone — like a waiter or chef — about unlabeled foods
like restaurant entrees.
Also, check the labels of diet foods. These foods may contain extra sugar as a
substitute for fat calories. Try to include your child or teen as you evaluate and
select healthy carbohydrate-containing foods. With your guidance and the meal plan,
your child can begin to choose foods and learn how carbs affect blood sugar.
By taking a smart approach to balancing carbohydrates, medications, and activity,
you can help your child enjoy food and stay healthy at the same time.
Date reviewed: October 2016
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