Why carbohydrates matter most
Of all the parts of a meal, carbohydrates have the biggest effect on your blood glucose. Learning to spot and roughly measure them gives you the most control for the least effort.
Know where carbohydrates hide
Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit, milk and anything sugary all contain carbohydrates. Protein and most vegetables have very little, which is why a balanced plate helps.
- Starchy foods like bread, rice, pasta and potato
- Fruit and fruit juice
- Milk and yoghurt
- Sugary foods and drinks
Estimate, do not agonise
You do not need a set of scales at every meal. Using your hand as a guide, learning the carbohydrate content of your regular meals, and reading labels for the rest gets you most of the way there.
Good enough and consistent beats perfect and exhausting.
Match it to your body
Counting carbohydrates becomes really useful when you pair it with your glucose readings or your insulin. That is where Michelle can help you connect the dots, so your counting actually improves your levels.
Keep the foods you love
Carbohydrate counting is not about cutting out the foods you enjoy. It is about understanding them, so you can fit them into your day with fewer surprises.
Key takeaways
- Carbohydrates affect your glucose the most
- Learn where they hide across common foods
- Estimating with your hand is usually enough
- Pairing counting with your readings makes it powerful