How does carbohydrate affect blood sugar

Your doctor may also have mentioned that you should keep track of how many carbohydrates carbs you eat. But what exactly are carbohydrates and how do they affect your blood sugar?

The foods we eat contain nutrients that provide energy and other things the body needs, and one of these is carbohydrates.

The two main forms of carbohydrates are:. The body breaks down or converts most carbohydrates into the sugar glucose. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, and with the help of a hormone called insulin it travels into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy.

People with diabetes have problems with insulin that can cause blood sugar levels to rise. For people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas loses the ability to make insulin. For people with type 2 diabetes, the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made. What about the quality of carbs? Ways to include good quality carbohydrates in your diet: Choose wholegrain breads and cereals. Have fruit whole, rather than as a juice. Eating an apple with the skin on, for example, will provide more fibre than drinking a glass of apple juice.

Ring the changes with quinoa and bulgur wheat as an alternative to pasta. Try seeds, nuts and pulses as lower carb sources of fibre Choose unsweetened milk and yogurts How does carbohydrate affect anyone with Type 1 diabetes? Twice-daily insulin If you are taking fixed amounts of insulin twice a day you may find it beneficial to have consistent amounts of carbohydrates on a day-to-day basis, and eat roughly the same amount of carbohydrate at similar times each day.

This means estimating how much carbs are in the individual foods and meals you eat in order to get the amounts right. More carbohydrate than usual can cause blood glucose levels to go too high, and less than usual can cause a hypo low blood glucose levels. Basal bolus insulin If you are using a basal bolus insulin regime by injecting several times a day, or through a pump, you can be much more flexible in how much carbs you eat and when you eat. Most people following this regimen will count carbohydrates that they eat and drink and then calculate how much insulin they need to take.

Other factors are also important, such as any physical activity you have done or plan doing, any previous episode of hypos, any infections. How does carbohydrate affect anyone with Type 2 diabetes? This is important since high cholesterol is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Soluble fibre is found in:. Insoluble fibre helps promote regularity and a healthy digestive system. Read more about fibre here. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes aim for g of fibre per day.

If you are not used to eating fibre, add high fibre foods slowly and drink lots of fluids. This will help prevent upset stomach, gas and bloating. Helpful hint: When reading food labels to find high fibre foods, look for 4g or more of fibre per serving!

If you have diabetes, pay special attention to the type and amount of carbohydrate you eat. Foods can have different types of carbohydrates, such as sugar, starch and fibre. The right amount and type of carbohydrate for you depends on your size, medications and physical activity levels. It can be tricky, so work with a Registered Dietitian to figure out a meal plan that balances carbohydrate foods and keeps you healthy. Dietitians look beyond fads to deliver reliable, life-changing advice.

Want to unlock the potential of food? Your body uses that glucose for fuel to keep you going throughout the day. After your body breaks down those carbs into glucose, your pancreas releases insulin to help your cells absorb that glucose. A low blood glucose is known as hypoglycemia.

In short, the carbs we consume impact our blood sugar—so balance is key! There are three main types of carbohydrates in food—starches, sugar and fiber. The goal is to choose carbs that are nutrient-dense, which means they are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and low in added sugars, sodium and unhealthy fats. When choosing carbohydrate foods:.