Each time you consume carbohydrates, your body converts them into glucose. The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin in response to the glucose in the bloodstream, and together they create the energy that the body needs to function. Diabetics are unable to produce or process insulin efficiently, depending on the type of diabetes that they have, and must use insulin injections or oral medications to compensate. Carb counting is one mechanism that diabetics might use to help them schedule and dose their medications and control their blood glucose levels.
Features
Carb counting is mainly practiced by people suffering from diabetes, particularly those using the exchange method of meal planning. The basic fundamental of carb counting is simple -- know the amount of carbohydrates you will consume at each meal before you consume them. Most of the information you need is contained on the food labels for packaged foods. Although most fruits and vegetables do not come with food labels, this information is readily available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database.
Function
Understanding carbohydrate intake begins with the understanding that 1 g of carbohydrates equals 4 calories. Although your doctor or nutritionist should recommend the right amount of carbohydrates for your individual needs, MayoClinic.com recommends that 45 to 65 percent of a diabetic's daily calories should come from carbohydrates. For someone on a 1,600 calorie per day diet, that translates to 720 to 1,040 calories per day or 180 to 260 g. Diabetics should try to spread their carbohydrate intake across their meals and snacks rather than consume them all at one meal to prevent an overload of blood glucose.
Significance
Most Type 1 diabetics take one to two daily injections of a long-lasting insulin, known as basal, as well as injections of a fast-acting insulin, known as a bollus, prior to each meal to counteract rises in blood glucose from carbohydrate consumption. Before each meal, diabetics test their blood glucose levels and take an injection of the fast-acting insulin to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Diabetics who know how many carbohydrates they will consume are in a much better position to take the proper dosage of insulin.
Benefits
Carb counting is often mistaken for another diabetic meal planning technique called constant carbohydrate meal planning. Although people following this plan do count their carbohydrate intake, they divide up their total daily carbohydrate across their meals and snacks and eat the same amount of carbohydrates at the same time each day. Carb counting offers greater flexibility in the amount of carbohydrates consumed at each meal, particularly for those who inject bolluses of insulin prior to eating.
Considerations
Although carb counting focuses on carbohydrate intake, the American Diabetes Association recommends keeping watch on your total calorie intake, particularly calories derived from saturated and trans fats.
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