Carbohydrate Counting (Page 4 of 5) in pdf

Carbohydrate Counting Page 4

Step 3: Balance

When you carb count, it can be easy to forget about protein and fat. Including a

protein food and a healthy fat to your meal provides other important nutrients and

gives your meal balance.

Step 4: Monitor

How will you know if your carbohydrate counting plan and medication plan are

working for you?

Checking your blood sugar with a home blood glucose monitor is the only way to

know what your blood sugar is doing at a point in time. Writing down what you ate

and your blood sugar before and 2 hours after a meal can help both you and your

diabetes team learn how to adjust your diabetes treatment plan to best control your

blood sugars.

The ANTHC Diabetes Program and the American Diabetes Association suggests the

following targets for most nonpregnant adults with diabetes.

Before a meal (preprandial plasma glucose): 80–130 mg/dl

2 hours after beginning of the meal: Less than 180 mg/dl

A log can be done on any piece of paper, or a form can be used. There is a form

printed on the next page.

Carbohydrate Counting Page 4