Know Your Carbs: Learn to Count & Take Control

This material is for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak with your doctor or appropriate healthcare provider.

Carbohydrate counting is a powerful tool that helps you manage your blood sugar levels more effectively. This section will teach you how to spot hidden carbs, read food labels, and use our simple calculator to estimate the carbs in your meals.

• What Are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy. They break down into glucose, which raises your blood sugar. Managing your carb intake is key to keeping your levels stable.

Common carb sources:

• Breads and cereals

• Pasta and rice

• Fruits and juices

• Dairy (like milk and yogurt)

• Sweets and sugary drinks

📝 Tip: Always check the serving size on the label!

🍽️ Understanding Carbs: Total vs Net

Total carbs include all types of carbohydrates in a food. But not all carbs affect your blood sugar the same way.

• Fiber isn’t digested and doesn’t raise blood sugar.

• Sugar alcohols (like xylitol, erythritol) have partial or minimal impact.

  
  

✅ Formula:

Net Carbs = Total Carbs – Fiber – (Sugar Alcohol ÷ 2)

This is what your calculator uses.

🎯 Why Tracking Your Carbs Matters

1. Improves Blood Sugar Control Knowing how many carbs you're eating allows you to match your insulin or medication more accurately, helping you avoid both highs and lows.

2. Reduces Guesswork at Mealtimes Instead of estimating or reacting afterward, you can take control before the meal begins — especially helpful when eating at restaurants or family gatherings.

3. Supports Long-Term Health Better carb management leads to improved A1C levels and lowers your risk of complications like nerve, kidney, or eye issues.

4. Gives You Flexibility with Structure Carb counting enables you to keep your intake consistent while still enjoying a variety of foods — even those occasional treats — without losing control of your blood sugar.

5. Helps You Spot Patterns Logging your carb intake alongside your blood sugar readings helps your diabetes educator or health care team analyze patterns and optimize your medications or insulin plan accordingly.

6. Guides Your Insulin Adjustments When using fast-acting insulin, knowing your total carbs and applying your calculated ICR (Insulin-to-Carb Ratio) empowers you to adjust your dose more precisely — leading to better post-meal glucose control.