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How Much Carbohydrate Should I Be Eating in a Day?

This is not a simple question and the answer varies from person to person. It isn't necessarily important to know simply how much carb to eat in a day, but rather how that carb is distributed throughout the day in meals and snacks to keep blood glucose in a healthful range. Your healthcare team will work with you to determine the amount of carbohydrate allotted to a given meal or snack based on such things as: 

  • Weight/height
  • When and how much physical activity you do
  • What medications you are taking for your diabetes, and when their action peaks
  • Weight goals
  • Age
  • Laboratory values like cholesterol, triglycerides, microalbumin (a measure of kidney function), and A1C
  • Personal preferences
  • Other medical issues
  • Cultural background and lifestyle

See our latest cookbooks and nutrition books at the Joslin Store.

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Page last updated: March 21, 2013