Definition: Carbohydrate Counting

Carbohydrate Counting

Many people with diabetes use carbohydrate ("carb") counting to estimate the amount of carbohydrate in the foods they eat. One "carb" contains 15 grams of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are mainly responsible for the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating, so people with diabetes can use carbohydrate counting to match the amount of insulin they take with the amount of carbohydrate eaten in a meal or snack. This technique can help people achieve better control of blood sugar levels as they manage their diabetes.