How do I use carbohydrate counting to plan meals?

For those on insulin, the amount of carbs will be matched up with the dose of insulin you will inject. For instance, at lunch your prescription is 10 grams of carb per 1 unit of fast acting insulin. This would mean that you would dose 1 unit of insulin for every 10 grams of carbohydrate eaten. Carb counting is often used for people with diabetes who are not on insulin as well. Carb counting is a way to help balance your carbohydrate intake throughout the day. Carbs have a direct relation to blood sugar readings. Check the nutrition facts panel or a carb counting book for the listing of carb content of specific foods. In general, all fruit, starchy vegetables (peas, corn, potato, beans), breads, cereals, grains, milk and yogurt -all contain carbohydrate. Check with your registered dietitian for your carb counting meal plan and then plug in the servings of carbs to match with your given amount of carbs to consume at meals and or snacks.