The Carb-Question for People with Diabetes Finally Answered

meals

How many carbs should you eat when you have diabetes?

No-carb, low-carb, or a moderate-carb diet? It’s one of the top questions people with diabetes ask healthcare professionals and dietitians.

So let’s answer this question once and for all. For the vast majority of people living with diabetes, following a moderate-carb diet will help you keep blood sugar levels within a safe range. But always follow the dietary guidelines from your doctor or dietitian.

So how many grams of carbohydrates per day is a moderate-carb diet?

For the typical adult with diabetes eating 2,000 calories per day, about 20 to 25 percent of your calories should come from carbohydrates. That’s 100 to 125 grams of carbs per day.

So what about no-carb or low-carb dieting for people with diabetes?

If you’re trying to lose weight, eating fewer carbs can help you tip the scale in the right direction. But if you’re exercising, lifting weights, or very active, you may want to eat more carbs than the moderate recommendations.

How many carbs should you eat when you have diabetes? It depends, is really the answer. But it doesn’t have to be hard. You can read food labels to keep track of the amount of carbs you’re eating per day, or use an app like MyFitnessPal to calculate your daily carbs.

Wondering how to make following a Diabetic-Friendly diet easier?

Check out this menu of meals made from fresh ingredients specifically for people who need to keep blood sugar levels in check. There’s 81 Diabetic-Friendly meals to choose from, including these favorites: