Carbohydrate Counting For Children With Diabetes

Carbohydrate Counting For Children With Diabetes
Introduction
What is carbohydrate counting?
Why do carbohydrate counting?
How do you count carbohydrates?
Where to go from here
Credits

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Introduction

Carbohydrate counting is a skill that can help you and your child plan his or her meals to manage diabetes and control blood sugar. Carbohydrate counting also can allow your child to eat a variety of foods, just like other kids, and to increase his or her sense of control and confidence in managing diabetes.

When you and your child know how much carbohydrate is in food, you can spread the nutrient throughout the day and control portion sizes, which helps prevent high blood sugar after meals. High blood sugar can make your child feel tired and thirsty and, over time, can damage many body organs and tissues.

Key points

Carbohydrate is the nutrient that makes blood sugar rise the most.
Using this method to provide consistent carbohydrate at each meal helps a child maintain his or her blood sugar at a target level.
You should consult a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator to help you and your child understand and use carbohydrate counting.

What is carbohydrate counting?

Why do carbohydrate counting?

How do you count carbohydrates?

Where to go from here

More information about diabetes in children can be found in these topics:

Return to topic:

Type 2 Diabetes in Children

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Last updated:	August 14, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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