Carbohydrate Counting for Diabetes : The Basics | She's Diabetic

This week I'm taking it back to basics once more with another awesome tool to have in your Type 1 Diabetes kit: Carb Counting!

Carb counting was introduced to me relatively early on in my diagnosis, but my serious implementation of it has taken a while to stick (yep - I'm that girl!!). Having really committed myself to doing more genuine counting and having a less 'by guess and by golly' mentality has been a game changer for me, and really help aid in my Type 1 Diabetes control. So I'm taking it back to basics and wanted to share my step by step guide to carb counting for insulin dosing!

Intro :26
What Is Carb Counting? 1:05
Why Is It So Important for Dosing Insulin: 1:16
A Note On Insulin to Carb Ratios 1:48
Example #1 3:44
Example #2 5:29
Example #3 6:23
A Note On Carb Counting Without Labels 7:43

MY OTHER VIDEOS THAT FEATURE CARB COUNTING IN ACTION

Taking a Pump + CGM Holiday : A Day in My Life with Type 1 Diabetes

What I Eat in A Day : Type 1 Diabetes Edition

15g Carb Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (Vegan, Gluten & Refined Sugar Free)

Thanksgiving with Type 1 Diabetes 2019

**IMPORTANT** Before implementing this into your daily diabetes routine it is ESSENTIAL that you have your insulin to carb ratio (which is unique to everyone) worked through with your health care provider. Please do not use the ratios mentioned in this video as they are just example figures.

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[ForgottenCovers]

It always amazes me how much thought and planning people with T1D have to put into eating compared to those of us without T1D. You are all seriously so strong and focused to be able to deal with this disease on a daily (even minute!) basis. I have so much love and respect for everyone dealing with this ❤

[scottyanke]

When I was first diagnosed a T-1 (over 20 years ago) I was taught to watch the labels and count carbs. Been doing that ever since. But... My own experience has shown that just counting carbs is not enough, I also have to factor in protein/fat to the ratio, and what activities I plan on doing. The protein/fat part really affects my rate of carb absorption which I can verify with my CGM. Carbs are just the start, and keeping in mind how the carbs are presented to the body is also important. As a T-1 you are probably aware that some carbs are "fast" and some are "slow". This all affects how I do my boluses (all at once vs. extended). Two products might have the same carb count, but absorb very differently in my body. I agree wholeheartedly with you on the carb to insulin ratios. They are very personal, and can be "interesting" to nail down. Trial and error, and a really good CGM help. Can't emphasize that enough. Thanks for doing all that you do.

[jessicam]

My older brother just got diagnosed with diabetes :( and I have just been nonstop looking up videos to find ways to help him. Yours have been really helpful so thank you <3

[anthonycarter]

Hi Andrea, I was diagnosed with T1D in 1966 at the tender age of 7. Yes, 54 years ago. I have never been taught to carb counting. Thank you for posting this video.

[johnhood]

I'm a RN and I must say you are a great educator. You explain everything clearly and on an understandable level. Thank you.

[BirdyGurdy]

You have the greatest energy! I love it! Always makes me smile :)

[julianycnerska]

I've been diagnosed 5 years ago and I haven't been able to understand this, it very helped thank you! And love your videos 🥰

[chrystalm-g]

Hi Andrea, my daughter was diagnosed a bit ago as T1D. Our Endocrinologist team went over carb counting with us, they told us to subtract the Fiber and Alcohol sugars from the carbohydrate total as your body doesn't digest those/break them down to sugar. So if you see 15 Carbohydrates in a bar but there is 3g fiber listed you would subtract the fiber from the carb total and there would only be 12 net carbs in the item of food.

[steffendavid]

Usually you would get a nutritionist when diagnosed with type 1, well in the u.k anyways, my daughter has been newly diagnosed and she's almost 3. But we have a great team around us that helps us, love your videos thank you!

[antiqueantics]

Thank you so much for creating this sort of content and presenting it in a bite size and understandable way. My partner has T1D and we're working together to start carb counting. it seems so daunting the way his provider explained it but you make it seem simple and doable. Off to binge your videos ! Wish us luck on our journey <3

[Dathly._Hals]

I definitely need this... I never knew how to carb count till now!

[GulliversCovers]

Half my class were Food technologists, to other half half were Nutritionists way back in Uni days. Now I finally understand in detail what they were talking about, thanks to this post. A great one! Hugs and subbed SD!

[jojosanrio]

Thank you I have two type1 children and have found this very helpful for them

[christinewelch]

It’s just so strange that you continue to make videos that seem to have me in mind!! I started long lasting insulin at the beginning of October and now it looks like I will need to be starting on short acting before meals. That means carb counting! I have been doing a bit of that but now it gets serious. Thank you so much for this video. It all helps!

[alice_rabbit]

I was diagnosed around 3 years ago— I’m 62. As soon as I was diagnosed my doctor sent me to a diabetic educator. She went over portion size and carb counting. We just adjusted my ratios and I’m doing much better!!
PS— she actually wrote down the ratios and doses so I don’t have to do math.

[ejustin]

Learned something new about insulin unit counting. Thank you for the video. Have a great Day.

[Baster]

Great video for beginners Andrea!
Look forward to your next one on eating out or food that doesn’t come with labels like takeaways. I call them nightmare items and mostly guess!

[JT]

Great video and really informative. I've been a type 1 for 15 years and was only made aware of carb counting last year when I went on a course for the Freestyle Libre. It wasn't ever explained to me during my 6 month diabetic reviews, so I wonder how many other diabetics aren't aware or fully understand it

[SpidY-TD]

thx lovely Andrea! i have t1d for about 30 years...never did carb counting, i will try it out now!

[MarkandeyaCollective]

Thank you so much! Just getting started familiar with the T1D 🙏🏽