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INTRODUCTION |
Counting Carbohydrates
Beaser RS. Joslin’s Diabetes Deskbook: A guide for primary care providers. 3rd ed. Boston, MA. Joslin Diabetes Center; 2014
WHY CARBOHYDRATES MATTER
What are Carbohydrates?
+
Starches
Starchy vegetables like
potatoes, corn and peas, dried beans
and lentils, grains like oats, barley,
rice and items made from wheat flour
+
Sugars
Naturally occur in milk and
fruit, or added during cooking or
processing. Common names for
sugar are table sugar, brown sugar,
molasses, honey, cane sugar, maple
syrup, high fructose corn syrup and
agave nectar
+
Fiber
Can be found in fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, nuts and
legumes. Most dietary fiber is not
digestible. Fiber contributes to
digestive health, keeps you regular
and helps make you feel full and
satisfied after eating
Impact on Blood Glucose
Carbohydrates (carbs) are important
because they provide us with energy and
essential vitamins and minerals. Proteins
and fats also contain calories, vitamins,
and minerals, but do not contain
carbohydrates unless the food is a mixed
item like a casserole. Carbohydrates
are the primary foods that affect blood
glucose levels.
Proteins and fats take longer to
digest and are slower to affect your
blood glucose. Higher consumption
of protein or fat at meals can delay
glucose absorption and create higher
blood glucose levels later. The section
“Omnipod DASH
™
System Advanced
How do I figure out the amount of carbohydrates
in my meal?
8 servings per container
Serving size
2/3 cup (55g)
Amount per serving
Calories
230
Nutrition Facts
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
8g
10%
Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol
0 mg
0%
Sodium
160 mg
7%
Total Carbohydrate
37g
13%
Dietary Fiber 4g
14%
Total Sugars 12g
Includes 10g Added Sugars
20%
Protein
3g
Vitamin D 2mcg
10%
Calcium 260mg
20%
Iron 8mg
45%
Potassium 235mg
6%
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a
serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories
a day is used for general nutrition advice
Source: US Food and Drug Administration Website
Check the Label
The two key pieces of information on the
nutrition facts label for carb counting are
the serving size and total carbohydrates.
Use the PDM Food Library to search
Your PDM is equipped with
CalorieKing
®
! Simply browse by
category or enter a keyword in
search. Carbohydrate amounts can
be seamlessly added to the bolus
calculator.
Features” will teach you more about bolusing for certain meals with the Omnipod
DASH
™
Insulin Management System.
