Diabetic meal planning by counting carbohydrates is one common diet for diabetes. Carbohydrates in your food are eventually converted to blood sugar (glucose) in your body, which in turn is food for your cells. With diabetes though, you cannot use all the available blood glucose because of impairments in your system so it becomes important to control the amount of it and particularly to avoid large amounts in a short time which typically comes from what we call "fast carbs" in your diet.

Diabetics type 2 or 1 who manage to keep the blood sugar levels near normal values through careful meal planning, have a lower risk of developing certain diseases and problems, such as nerve problems (diabetic neuropathy), temporary vision impairment (damage to the nerves of the eyes), heart and kidney problems etc.

Carbohydrates in your food will increase your blood glucose level. If you eat food with a large amount of carbohydrates, there is a risk your glucose level will increase to a high peak which is exactly what you should avoid. It will also depend on the "speed" of the carbs - certain foods with carbohydrates will be converted into blood sugar in a slower pace, these are the so called "slow carbs".

Carbohydrate rich foods are: bread, potatoes and other vegetables with starch, beans, cereals, milk and fruit. Carbohydrates are nutrients - along with the other nutrients like proteins and fats. These other nutrients will have less impact on your blood sugar but you will need to make sure your diet contains the right level here as well or you will have other problems (overweight, deficiencies etc).

It is advisable to monitor your blood glucose level regularly, your doctor will show you how to do this and it is a great help in your diabetes meal planning.

You will need to consult a dietitian (or your doctor) to assist you in creating a good diabetic meal plan (diet). It will be based on your age and weight, how much you usually eat, your job and your physical activities. It will also consider your actual blood glucose levels and your diabetes medication.

Within a given amount of carbohydrates (per meal) you can then choose what food you like. Using tables and scales you will soon develop a feel for how much of each type of food you can eat and stay within the diet. This is what's normally called the carbohydrate counting meal plan, or diet.

Examples of foods and their carbohydrate content

A slice of bread (one ounce) contains around 15 g of carbohydrates. A normal size pancake or tortilla will contain approximately the same.

A quarter of a large baked potato will also contain 15 g of carbs.

Popcorn (3 cups), a cup of milk or two small cookies - each contain 15 g of carbohydrates.