Food & Mealtime Tips
Learn the basics of nutrition and carb counting for Type 1 diabetes. Discover how to enjoy food while keeping blood sugar in range.
Carb Counting Basics
The foundation of mealtime insulin dosing
Carbohydrates are nutrients that break down into glucose (sugar) in your body. They have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels, which is why we count them to determine insulin doses.
Starches
- • Bread, pasta, rice
- • Potatoes, corn
- • Cereal, crackers
- • Beans, lentils
Fruits & Sugars
- • Fresh fruits
- • Fruit juices
- • Candy, desserts
- • Honey, syrup
Dairy
- • Milk, yogurt
- • Ice cream
- • Some cheeses
- 1Read nutrition labels - look for "Total Carbohydrates"
- 2Measure or weigh your portions
- 3Use carb counting apps or books
- 4Add up all carbs in your meal
- 5Calculate insulin dose using your ratio
Apps:
- • Carb Manager
- • MyFitnessPal
- • Fooducate
- • CalorieKing
Physical Tools:
- • Food scale
- • Measuring cups
- • Carb counting books
- • Portion plates
Understanding Insulin-to-Carb Ratios
What is an I:C Ratio?
Your insulin-to-carb ratio tells you how many grams of carbohydrates one unit of rapid-acting insulin will cover.
Example: 1:15 Ratio
1 unit of insulin covers 15 grams of carbs
Finding Your Ratio
- Start with your doctor's recommendation
- Track blood sugars before and after meals
- Adjust with your healthcare team
- May be different for different meals
Smart Meal Planning
Pre-bolusing:
Give insulin 15-20 minutes before eating when possible
- • Helps prevent post-meal spikes
- • Matches insulin action to food absorption
- • May not always be practical
Consistent Timing:
- • Try to eat meals at similar times
- • Don't skip meals without adjusting insulin
- • Plan for delayed meals
The Plate Method:
- • 1/2 plate: Non-starchy vegetables
- • 1/4 plate: Lean protein
- • 1/4 plate: Carbohydrates
- • Add healthy fats in moderation
Benefits:
- • Protein and fat slow carb absorption
- • Fiber helps with blood sugar control
- • More stable post-meal readings
Common Food Challenges
The Challenge:
High-fat foods slow down carb absorption, causing delayed blood sugar spikes that can last 4-6 hours.
Strategies:
- • Consider extended/dual-wave bolus (if using pump)
- • Split insulin dose: some now, some later
- • Monitor blood sugar for 4-6 hours
- • Keep correction insulin handy
Example: Pizza
2 slices = ~60g carbs
- • Give 50% insulin before eating
- • Give remaining 50% over 2-3 hours
- • Check blood sugar every 2 hours
- • Correct highs as needed
Preparation Tips:
- Look up menus and nutrition info online
- Use restaurant apps with carb counts
- Ask servers about ingredients
- Bring glucose supplies
Estimation Strategies:
- • Compare to familiar portions at home
- • Use your hand as a measuring guide
- • Start conservative, correct if needed
- • Take photos to learn for next time
Important Reminders
Ready to Put It All Together?
Food and diabetes management gets easier with practice. Start with simple meals, track your results, and gradually build confidence with more complex foods.