How to be a carb whiz

Whether you have diabetes or are watching

your weight, understanding carbs is key. DL dietitian Dr Kate Marsh makes it easy

Carbohydrates: they’re in everything from lollies and bread to pasta and even soft drinks. When you have diabetes, keeping track of your carb intake is especially important. Once eaten, carbs break down to form glucose, which is absorbed into your bloodstream. You then need insulin to move that glucose into your muscles and cells.

In someone without diabetes, the body produces just the right amount of insulin to deal with the carbs they eat. If you have type 1, your body doesn’t produce this insulin, and if you have type 2, the insulin your body makes doesn’t work as effectively as you need it to.

If you have type 1, you have to take on the role of your pancreas and try to match the amount of carbs you eat with the amount of insulin you take to keep blood glucose levels (BGLs) within the desired range. Depending on the type of insulin you’re taking, you might also need to do this if you have insulin-treated type 2.

If you have type 2 and are not taking insulin, you don’t have to be as strict about carb counting. However, it’s important to be mindful of your carb intake across the day. Spreading your carb intake evenly over the day and avoiding large amounts at one time helps keep BGLs stable.

And if you’re taking medication that can cause hypos, such as insulin or sulphonylureas, then matching your medication and carbs is important to prevent your BGL dropping too low.