International Diabetes Center > Diabetes Self-care > Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates

Because carbohydrate is the main nutrient that affects blood glucose levels, food plans are focused on carbohydrate foods.

Carbohydrate foods include starches, such as grains and grain-based foods (bread, pasta, cereal or rice), and starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes and squash. Milk, yogurt, fruits, fruit juice and sweets also are carbohydrate foods.

Sugar is a carbohydrate food, too. It affects your blood glucose the same way other carbohydrate foods do. Contrary to what many believe, people with diabetes can eat sweets and foods with added sugar as long as the carbohydrate is counted. However, many desserts and tempting sweets pack a big carbohydrate wallop. Small portions have large amounts of carbohydrate. For example, a two-inch square of cake with frosting has about the same amount of carbohydrate as a cup of pasta or two slices of bread.

Also, foods high in added sugar have little or no nutritional value other than calories. Usually where there is sugar, there is fat. So it makes good sense to monitor the sweets you eat.

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