Carbohydrates, or carbs, provide energy to fuel your brain and body. Carbs impact your blood glucose (sugar) the most compared to fat and protein. When people eat food containing carbs, the digestive system breaks down the digestible carbs into sugar and releases it into the bloodstream. This can lead to a faster rise in blood sugar than other foods. So, it’s important to monitor the types of carbs and the portion sizes you consume.
Foods made with refined flours (bread, pasta, cereals) or added sugars (muffins, cakes, cookies, soda, fruit juice) can cause blood sugar to spike. Chips, white potatoes, and white rice also can cause blood sugar spikes.
Non-starchy, fiber-rich vegetables, beans, sweet potatoes, and whole fruits are less likely to cause your blood sugar to spike. Foods made with whole grains (whole grain or 100% whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta) also are less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.
Think ahead and time your meals appropriately with your medications and blood sugar testing. Portion control and limiting snacks are important. Start your day off right by eating breakfast. Healthy snacks between meals can help keep blood sugar at a normal level. Never skip meals!
Portion size and serving size are not always the same thing. A portion is the amount of food you choose to eat at one time, while a serving is the specific amount of food listed on a food label to help describe nutrition information. Studies show that people tend to eat more when served large portions at a meal. Getting a good grasp of portion sizes enables you to choose how much you want to eat, which will impact your blood sugar.
To help determine your nutrition needs, ask your healthcare provider and use serving sizes on food labels to help you decide what portions are appropriate. For help measuring and tracking portions, try an app with features for portion estimation.
For example, if you need 3 oz of meat, you can imagine 3 packs of dental floss sitting side by side on your plate. This visualization will help you put portion sizes into practice!
| 1 cup cooked pasta = 1 baseball | ½ cup fruits or veggies = ½ baseball | 1 ounce lean meat = 1 pack of dental floss | 1 ounce cheese = 3 dice |
Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of diabetes care. Learn more about eating right for diabetes to help keep your blood sugar in check.
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Glucerna® is the number 1 selling diabetes nutritional supplement in the world*. It contains 35 nutrients, slow-release carbohydrates and 4x more inositol vs previous formulation, that delivers a dual action for tight blood sugar control.
* Euromonitor International Limited; total global retail sales in 2023 for diabetic diet enhancer drinks that are not marketed as a meal replacement product. Euromonitor and Abbott calculation based in part on custom research conducted between October and November 2023 and Euromonitor Passport Consumer Health 2023 based on 2022 data.
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