Health Topics

A healthy diet needs to include carbohydrate foods. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and milk are healthy food choices with carbohydrate.  Carbohydrate counting helps determine the amount of insulin to be given for that meal.

What Foods Contain Carbohydrates

Starches: Bread, cereal (sweetened and unsweetened), pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, peas, crackers, popcorn.

Fruits: Fresh, frozen, canned and juices.

Milk: Milk and yogurt.

Others: Cakes, cookies, candy chips, ice cream, jellies, jams and regular soda.

All foods, including sweets, can be worked into a daily meal plan by counting grams of carbohydrates.  

There are many sources to help with carbohydrate counting such as food labels, restaurant guides, books such as the Exchange Lists for Meal Planning and The Calorie King: Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter, as well as web sites such as www.calorieking.com. 

There are two main types of insulin:

Basal Bolus Multiple Injection (rapid and long acting insulin) and Insulin Pump Therapy (rapid acting insulin):

• Multiple insulin injections per day
• Rapid acting insulin is given for high blood glucose and whenever eating foods with carbohydrate
• Blood glucose must be checked before giving insulin and before eating foods with carbohydrate

Split Mixed Insulin Injection Therapy (NPH and Regular Insulins):

• Two insulin injections per day (usually at breakfast and supper)
• Requires 3 meals and 3 snacks at specific times each day
• A specific carbohydrate amount at each meal and snack
• Check blood glucose before meals and before bedtime