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Carbohydrate Counting:
Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easier

Confused by Exchanges? Not really sure any more what your diabetic meal plan is? If these questions apply to you, carbohydrate counting may be an easier way to help you manage your diabetes. For more information about diabetes meal planning, ask to see a registered dietitian or diabetes educator.

What is a Carbohydrate?
Carbohydrates are foods that turn to sugar (glucose) when digested. Any carbohydrate food will raise blood sugar.

What Is a Serving of Carbohydrate?
A “serving” of carbohydrate is approximately 15 grams. The following foods are considered one serving of carbohydrate and all will raise blood sugar about the same amount:

1 cup fresh fruit ½ cup canned fruit
1 cup milk 1 cup yogurt
1 slice bread ¾ cup dry cereal
1 small potato ½ cup corn
½ cup pasta 1/3 cup rice
1 medium sugar cookie 1 small piece cake/no icing

1 Fruit = 1 Milk = 1 Starch = 1 Low Calorie Dessert

What Foods Are Not Counted as Carbohydrates?
Meats, eggs, and peanut butter (eaten in moderation) do not count as carbohydrate. Fats and oils do not count as carbohydrate. “Non-starchy” vegetables such as green beans, tomatoes, carrots, etc. have very little carbohydrates and do not need to be counted if eaten in moderation. (Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas, and legumes count as carbohydrates.)

Meal Planning By Carbohydrate Counting
Important principles to remember when using carbohydrate counting are:

  1. Eat at consistent times every day to keep blood sugars even.
  2. Do not skip meals.
  3. Eating smaller amounts more often will help keep blood sugars even.
  4. Eat a consistent amount of carbohydrate at each meal and each snack.
  5. Eat a meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours to keep blood sugars even.

Sample Meal Plan for Men and Active Women:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Supper: 5 or 6 Carbohydrates
Snacks: Morning, Afternoon, Bed: 2 or 3 Carbohydrates

Sample Meal Plan for Small or Inactive Women:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Supper: 3 or 4 Carbohydrates
Snacks: Morning, Afternoon, Bed: 1 or 2 Carbohydrates

Reading Labels for Carbohydrate:
Check labels for grams of carbohydrate.
15 grams = 1 serving
30 grams = 2 servings, etc.

Sample Meal Plan for Carbohydrate Counting:
Meals : 5 Carbohydrates
Snacks: 2 Carbohydrates

    # of Carbohydrates
Breakfast: ½ cup apple juice
1 ½ cup cold cereal
2 pieces toast
½ cup non-dairy creamer
1 egg 		1
2
2
0
0
Snack: 1 bagel/margarine 2
Lunch: 4 oz. steak
½ cup potatoes/marg.
½ cup corn
1 cup melon
lettuce salad/drsg.
1 slice bread
1 small plain cookie
diet pop 		0
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
Afternoon Snack: sandwich
(2 bread, 2 oz.meat, 1 tsp.mayo)
Diet 7-up		 2

0
Supper: 4 oz. hamburger patty
1 hamburger bun
small french fries
½ cup cranberry juice
1 slice angel food cake 		0
2
1
1
1
Bedtime: 6 low salt crackers
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
½ cup apple juice 		1
0
1

Developed by Linda Hopper,RD,CSR,LD Mercy Dialysis Center, Mason City, IA 5/28/02

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