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What is a Carbohydrate?

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?

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What is a Carbohydrate?

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  1. What is a Carbohydrate? Presented by Florida Health Care Plans Diabetes Education Department Authored by: Cara Meece MS, RD, LD, CDE

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Nutrients Defined (cont.) • The macronutrients (Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities) include: • Protein • Fat • Carbohydrate

  5. 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)

  6. 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.

  7. 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)

  8. 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)

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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 self-management classes. You will receive an individualized meal plan.

  15. Other Recommendations • If you have been to our classes and want to see a Registered Dietitian for a moreindividualized approach… please call the Member/Health Education Department 386-676-7133 or 1-877-229-4518

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