What is a Carbohydrate?
Presented by Florida Health Care Plans
Diabetes Education Department
Authored by:
Cara Meece MS, RD, LD, CDE
In this presentation you will learn:
 Nutrients
defined
 Carbohydrates defined
 What foods contain carbohydrates?
 Why do I need to know what foods have
carbohydrates?
 Carbohydrates and blood sugar control
 Specifics for you
 Summary
Nutrients Defined
 What


are nutrients?
“A chemical that an organism needs to live
and grow or a substance used in an
organism's metabolism which must be taken
in from its environment.”
They enrich the body. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient)
 The
macronutrients (Nutrients needed in
relatively large quantities) include:



protein
fat
carbohydrate
Nutrients Defined (cont.)
 The
macronutrients (Nutrients needed in
relatively large quantities) include:

Protein

Fat

Carbohydrate
What the major nutrients we eat do

Protein

Used to build enzymes, tissues, hormones, other
body chemicals and to repair tissue.
(http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/benefits-protein)

Fat


Provides us with insulation and stored energy
They also help with inflammation control, blood
clotting, and brain development.
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002468.htm)

Carbohydrates



Our main energy source
Part of the framework for DNA and RNA’s structure
Found in cell walls of plants
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate)
Carbohydrates Defined
 Carbohydrates
contain many nutrients our
body’s need- vitamins, minerals, and fiber
 Foods that contain carbohydrate break
down in the digestive system into glucose.
 Glucose in the body is?


The simplest form of carbohydrates.
What the body uses for energy.
Why do I need to know what foods
have Carbohydrates?
 When
I have diabetes the foods I eat
breakdown differently than normal




Foods break down into carbohydrates,
proteins, and fat
The carbohydrates break down into glucose
Glucose enters the bloodstream
Glucose can not get from the bloodstream
into the cell as normal = raised blood sugar
levels (hyperglycemia)
Blood Sugar Levels and
Carbohydrate Intake
 What
happens if I eat too few
carbohydrates?

I may have hypoglycemia (low blood sugars)
 What
if I have too many carbohydrates at
a meal?

I may have hyperglycemia (high blood sugars)
What Foods Contain
Carbohydrates?
 Starches/Grains-
(bread, cereal, pasta,
rice crackers, tortillas), legumes, and
starchy vegetables (corn, peas, potatoes)
 Fruit- fruit, fruit juices, canned and dried
fruit
 Milk- milk and yogurt
 Sweets- desserts, sodas, candy, syrup,
honey, jams, and sugar
Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar
Control
 Foods
that contain carbohydrates give
us energy, however some meals tend to
have large amount of carbohydrates.
 To many carbohydrates at one meal = ?
Hyperglycemia
Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar Control

Example: Mary

Before lunch
• Blood sugar = 87
• Food = ham sandwich with a small apple.

Before Dinner
• Blood sugar = 108
• Food = 2 cups mashed potatoes, carrots and 2 slices
bread
• Blood sugar before bed- 203

What could have caused the high blood sugar?

The high amount of carbohydrates at dinner.
Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar
Control (continued)

The portion size or combination of foods I eat
can effect my blood sugar levels.
 If I have diabetes and eat large amounts of
high carbohydrate containing foods, what
may happen to my blood sugar?


It will rise.
What if I don’t eat enough carbohydrates at a
meal?

My blood sugar may drop to low.
Summary
 By
knowing what foods have
carbohydrates and portioning them, I can
help improve my blood sugar control.
 Carbohydrates break down differently in
my body when I have diabetes vs. when I
do not.
 The 3 major nutrients we eat are protein,
fat, and carbohydrate.
 Nutrients are required for human survival
and they enrich our body.
Specific Recommendations for You

To find out how many carbohydrates you need a
day…
Call our Health Education Department at
386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518
For more information on diabetes, it is recommended
that you attend our 10-hour American Diabetes
Association (ADA) recognized Diabetes selfmanagement classes.
You will receive an individualized meal plan.
Other Recommendations
 If
you have been to our classes and
want to see a Registered Dietitian for
a more individualized approach…
please call the
Member/Health Education Department
386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518