Counting carbohydrates
When you have type 1 diabetes, it’s important to know how many carbohydrates you consume each time you eat or drink.
What is carb counting?
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are nutrients in the food we eat and drink. The body’s digestive system breaks carbs down into sugar. Insulin is the key that “unlocks” the cells and allows sugar to enter so it can be used as energy.
When you have type 1 diabetes (T1D), it’s important to know how many carbs you consume each time you eat or drink. This is so that you can determine how much insulin you need to take at any given time to control your blood-sugar levels.
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients found in food, along with protein and fats. Carbs are found in many foods, including:
- Fruits
- Starchy vegetables (like corn and potatoes)
- Dairy
- Starches and grains (like bread, rice, and pasta)
- Sweets (like candy and juice)
Insulin-to-carb ratio
Your healthcare team will help you figure out the amount of insulin you need to take per gram of carbohydrate in a meal or drink. This is called your insulin-to-carb ratio, or I:C. This ratio varies between people.
For example, if your I:C is 1:10, that means you need 1 unit of insulin for every 10 grams of carbohydrates you eat or drink to keep your blood sugar stable.
How to count carbs with type 1 diabetes
- Find nutrition labels on foods and drinks to figure out the total grams of carbs per serving. This can be a new skill! Ask to meet with a dietitian or diabetes care and education specialist to learn how to read nutrition labels.
- Use measuring cups and spoons or food scales to count carbs more accurately. Be sure you use liquid measuring cups for liquids and dry measuring cups for dry foods.
- Use smartphone apps and websites that make it easier to determine and add up carbs.
- Create a list of what you most often eat and drink and their carb counts.
- Helpful tip: Nutrition labels also tell you how many grams of carbohydrates are in a food, and this includes the amount of sugar in the food that is listed separately. You don’t need to count these sugars separately because they are already included in the total grams of carbs per serving.
Understanding nutrition labels
Hy-Vee registered dietitian Kim McAuley, MS, RD, LD, CHES, shares tips on reading nutrition labels for people living with T1D.
Carb counting tools
These websites and apps can help with carb counting:
Get support
Find your local chapter, attend an event, or join an online community summit to connect with other people living with T1D.
