The food that we eat can be divided into three categories: carbohydrates, protein and fat.  We need all three for optimal nutrition.  In digestion, foods are broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed into the blood stream.  Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars; proteins into amino acids and fats are largely reduced to fatty acids.  Only carbohydrates raise blood sugar immediately upon entering the blood stream.  Amino acids can be converted into sugar by the liver but this process only yields about 50-60% blood sugar.  Only 10% of the fat eaten can ever become sugar. 

Once food has been converted into blood sugar, insulin is needed to move the sugar from the bloodstream into the cells where it is used as energy.  Insulin is produced in the beta cells of the pancreas, a small organ that sits behind the stomach.   In a diabetic, the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced does not work as well as it should.  Sugar stays in the blood stream where it can cause major problems.

Some people can control their blood sugar very effectively by counting, spacing and limiting the carbohydrate foods that they eat at each meal.  This entails learning exactly which foods are carbohydrates and what is a serving size.  A specific meal plan can enable the diabetic to enjoy a wide variation of foods while still maintaining optimal blood sugar control.  The help of a registered dietitian will make this process much easier and more successful.  Carbohydrate foods include:

• Starches such as breads, cereals, starchy vegetables and legumes. 
• Fruit and the juices of all fruits.
• Milk and milk products such as yogurt and buttermilk. 
• Sugar may be added to any of the other three categories for flavor.  The more sugar that is added the higher the carbohydrate and calorie content of the food.
• Vegetables are also carbohydrates but since they have such a high content of water they have fewer calories and therefore fewer carbohydrates per serving.

A serving of a carbohydrate food is the amount of that food that yields 15 grams of carbohydrate.  This is just a measurement tool that enables the diabetic to estimate the amount of carbohydrate.  One slice of bread is approximately 15 grams of carbohydrate while ½ cup orange juice, or 1 Tbsp. sugar is also 15 grams of carbohydrate.  How much carbohydrate is in a cupcake and can it fit into your meal plan?  A serving of a vegetable is 5 grams carbohydrate.

The Nutrition Facts label that appears on every container of food provides another measurement tool.  It lists, in grams, the amount of carbohydrate in a serving.  Do not read the label for sugar, read the carbohydrate content and determine how much can fit into your meal plan.  Extra servings of a carbohydrate food at a meal will result in a high blood sugar reading regardless of whether that extra carbohydrate was a cookie or a glass of juice.  Know your carbohydrates!