International Diabetes Center > Diabetes Self-care > Safe Exercise > Carbohydrate Adjustments for Exercise

Carbohydrate adjustments for exercise

The table below is a general guide for people who take insulin or a sulfonylurea pill to treat their diabetes. Talk to your health care provider before beginning an exercise regimen.

Duration and intensity of exercise	Blood glucose level before exercise
	70 to 99 mg/dL	100 to 179 mg/dL	180 to 250 mg/dL
Short duration, low intensity Examples: 30 minutes of yoga, walking or bicycling leisurely	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate	No adjustment needed	No adjustment needed
Moderate duration, moderate intensity Examples: 30 to 60 minutes of walking vigorously, playing tennis, swimming or jogging	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate if blood glucose is 100-120; no adjustment if blood glucose is 121-179	No adjustment needed
Moderate duration, high intensity Examples: 30 to 60 minutes of running, high-impact aerobics, spinning or kickboxing	Add 30 grams of carbohydrate	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate	No adjustment needed
Long duration, moderate intensity Examples: 60 minutes or more of playing team sports, golfing, cycling or swimming (retest your blood glucose level after each hour of activity and add carbohydrate according to that blood glucose level)	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate per hour of activity	Add 15 grams of carbohydrate per hour of activity	After the first hour of activity, add 15 grams of carbohydrate

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