Count Your Carbs (cont)

Traditionally, diabetic diets are designed to start with this calorie distribution:

Protein: 15-25%
Carbohydrate: 40-55%
Fat: 25-35%

Based on your personal health, lifestyle and diet goals, you dietitian can calculate and educate you on the best diet design for you. Your dietitian will take into account your cholesterol levels, A1C, blood glucose patterns, kidney function, blood pressure, work and sleep habits, meal and snack patterns, and food likes and dislikes to create your unique meal plan.

Sample Calorie Distributions

Based on different calorie levels, you may be allowed from 120 gms to 330 grams of carbohydrate.

The amount of carbohydrate for each person varies with their calorie goals, exercise levels, blood glucose levels and male/female. A healthy diabetic meal plan includes:

Women : 45-60 grams of carbohydrate per meal (3-4 carb choices/meal)
Men: 60-75 grams per meal (4 to 5 carb choices/meal)
For snacks: 15-30 grams of carbohydrate per snack (1-2 carb choices/snack)

Here is a typical example:

1,500 calories - daily total carbohydrates 170 gm (45%). 40 grams (3 meals), 15 gram (3 snacks)