As a food scientist, I have spent my entire career studying the science behind food and how it affects our bodies. But it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with diabetes that I had to learn a completely new skill: counting carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are one of the three main macronutrients that our bodies need to function properly, along with protein and fat. They are found in a wide range of foods, from fruits and vegetables to bread and pasta. For people with diabetes, it is essential to count carbohydrates to manage blood sugar levels and avoid complications.
At first, the idea of counting carbohydrates seemed overwhelming. How was I supposed to know how many carbs were in the foods I was eating?
But I soon learned that there are many resources available to help, from apps and websites to food scales and measuring cups.
I also learned to read nutrition labels carefully, looking for the total carbohydrate content and the serving size. It’s important to pay attention to portion sizes, as even healthy foods can contain a lot of carbohydrates in larger quantities.
As I became more comfortable with counting carbohydrates, I started to see the benefits in my blood sugar levels. I was able to make more informed food choices and avoid the spikes and crashes that can come from eating too many or too few carbs.
But perhaps the most unexpected benefit was how much it deepened my appreciation for food. By understanding the science behind carbohydrates, I began to see food in a new light. I learned to appreciate the complexity of different ingredients and how they interact in recipes to create delicious and nourishing meals.
Counting carbohydrates may seem daunting at first, but with practice and patience, it can become second nature. And the rewards are well worth the effort, from better blood sugar control to a deeper appreciation of the foods we eat.
And if all else fails, just take a S.W.A.G
Scientific and Wildly Amazing Guess. Deciding an arbitrary bolus/injection amount for a certain food or drink when you don’t know how many carbs are actually in it.
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