Download Carbohydrate Factsheet - Bedfordshire Diabetes

Carbohydrate factsheet for people
with type 2 diabetes
What are carbohydrates?
Foods are made mainly of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Carbohydrates are broken down into
glucose during digestion. Therefore, foods containing carbohydrate will increase your blood glucose
level when you eat them. If you eat a large portion of a food containing carbohydrate, your blood
glucose level will be higher than if you eat a smaller portion.
There are two main types of carbohydrates: starch and sugars.
 Starchy
carbohydrate is found in foods like bread, pasta, chapatti, potatoes, yam, noodles, rice,
cereals, nuts, beans and pulses.
 Sugary
carbohydrate is found in table sugar (white, brown, granulated) and is also found in fruit
and some dairy foods.
However, it is not recommended that you cut out carbohydrates from your diet as:
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Glucose is an essential source of energy especially for the brain
Food containing carbohydrate contains also important vitamins and minerals for your health
High fibre carbohydrate such as whole grains and fruit, are important for a healthy gut
Some carbohydrate may help your appetite control
How much carbohydrate do I need?
The amount of carbohydrate that your body needs varies mainly according to your gender, age,
weight and physical activity.
On average, your body should obtain half of its energy (calorie) needs from carbohydrate if you are
a healthy weight. This should be mainly from starchy carbohydrate, and from healthier types of
sugars found in fruit and in some dairy products.
You can find out how much is in the food you eat by reading the nutritional panel on the food packet,
under total carbohydrates, not ‘of which are sugars’. We measure carbohydrates in grams.
Calories
Protein
Total carbohydrate
Of which sugar
Fat
Of which saturated
per 100g
in kcal/KJ
in grams
e.g. 60g
in grams
in grams
in grams
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This is the weight of the carbohydrate, not of the food.
It is better to spread the carbohydrate evenly throughout the day instead of a large meal with lots
of carbohydrate at once.
Date of publication: Oct/2013
Date for review: Oct/2015
© Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Diabetes Specialist Dietitians, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust,
Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ. 01234 792 287
Carbohydrate Factsheet for people
with type 2 diabetes
Starchy carbohydrate
Starchy foods are digested and absorbed slowly. Eating starchy foods
regularly will help you to maintain good blood glucose levels.
Starchy carbohydrate foods are healthy as they contain vitamins and
minerals and are low in fat. The higher fibre versions such as wholegrain,
seeded granary and oat varieties may make you feel fuller for longer.
It is important to include a starchy food with each meal.
Beans, pulses and nuts have some starchy carbohydrate and are high in fibre and low in fat. Also
they are a good source of iron and protein. They are important if you are a vegetarian.
Sugary carbohydrate
There are several types of sugar, including:
Sucrose or ‘table sugar’ (white or brown)
Glucose (found in syrups, honey and molasses)
Lactose (found naturally in milk and milk products)
Fructose (found naturally in fruit and fruit products)
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Refined sugars and products high in ‘table sugar’ have little goodness and may cause a rapid
rise in blood glucose levels. These should be limited in the diet.
Fruit
People with diabetes can eat all types of fruit. However, whilst healthy, all fruit contains natural
sugar. Eating a lot of fruit at once can raise your blood glucose level.
Remember:
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Eat one to two portions of fruit at a time
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Spread fruit throughout the day
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Choose tinned fruit preferably in natural juice
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Fruit juice and smoothies are high in natural sugar, even if
unsweetened. They are also digested very quickly so raise the blood
glucose level quickly as well. It is best to limit your intake of fruit juice
to one small glass (150ml) per day and preferably with meals.
Milk and dairy foods
Milk and dairy foods have plenty of goodness are a good source of calcium
for bone health. It is important to include these daily, preferably low fat or diet
options. However milk sugar can still affect blood glucose levels. All types of
cheese have little carbohydrate so have little effect on blood glucose levels
but contain lots of fat and protein.
Date of publication: Oct/2013
Date for review: Oct/2015
© Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Diabetes Specialist Dietitians, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust,
Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ. 01234 792 287