In the preceding article we looked at the role diet plays in the control of blood glucose levels in our body. This time, a more intimate look at what one of the main elements of your diet, carbohydrates, does for your body.

An old myth had it that eating large amounts of carbohydrates, in the way of sugar, was a contributing factor in developing diabetes. The real truth is that too many calories of any sort causes excess fat storage; not just eating sugar. It is now an established fact that eating sugar will not bring on diabetes. Excessive carbohydrate consumption, on the other hand, will bring about high levels of blood glucose.

It is these high levels of glucose that cause the many complications of this disease. Because large amounts of carbohydrate will raise your glucose level it is imperative that your daily intake of carbohydrates is moderate and maintained within a reasonable amount.

Carbohydrates cause the fat levels to rise in the blood stream and signal the pancreas to release insulin. The insulin released into the blood stream regulates the glucose level.

Not all carbohydrates are the same though. Some raise the blood glucose levels rapidly and while others raise it gradually. In the case of the diabetic, the goal is to keep these levels steady and within the healthy range. Scientists developed the glycemic index as a way of identifying those foods that cause wide blood glucose swing reactions when eaten.

The glycemic index lists foods based on the response they cause in relation to raising the blood glucose levels. Those high on the list are compared to the effect white bread has on the system. White bread rapidly raises the glucose levels while the ones lower on the list tend to moderately adjust the levels.

There are some who fully support the use of the glycemic index whereas others feel it is not as simple as the advocates believe. It will be up to you and your doctor to decide if the glycemic index method of carbohydrate control will be useful or not to you.

Ultimately counting carbohydrate calories will be a part of the measures you will take to have some control over managing the disease. The more carbohydrate grams you consume the more your blood glucose will rise and the higher will be glucose levels in your blood stream.

The carbohydrate levels have to be kept under control for the reasons mentioned earlier. Paying strict attention to the food and drink you take in each day will help control the deleterious effects of this disease.

Your body requires carbohydrates to remain healthy and just because they raise the blood glucose level doesn’t mean you should stop eating them. These essential macronutrients provide the primary fuel for the muscles. Without it your muscles won’t be properly energized.

As a beginning, here are a few suggested healthy eating recommendations:

The breakdown of the big three macronutrient calories consumed in your daily diet should follow these guidelines:

Next month we’ll explore fiber and the other two major macronutrients; protein and fat.