If you’re a diabetic, then it is essential for you to understand the significance of carbohydrates on menus and in your diet. Carbohydrates, which are the chief source of energy, can be broadly divided into two categories, simple and complex. While simple carbohydrates mainly consist of simple sugars like lactose (milk sugar), fructose (fruit sugar) and sucrose (table sugar), complex carbohydrates encompass starch and fiber.

Simple sugars, as found in cakes, biscuits, jams, soft drinks, are easy to digest and for this reason they provide energy instantly. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, as found in lentils, beans, pasta, oats, are broken down slowly in the body; hence they release energy gradually.

In addition to physical activity and diabetes medications, carbohydrates have an extensive affect on your blood glucose level. Therefore, it is important to manage the carbohydrate on menus. Too much of carbohydrates in the diet would increase your blood glucose level sharply as well as make you more prone to developing diabetes complications. Too little carbohydrates would bring down your blood glucose level drastically.

According to American Diabetic Association, a diabetic person, on an average, should derive 50% to 60% of his total daily calories from carbohydrates. Thus, your daily meals should include a very small amount of simple carbohydrates, and a substantial amount of complex carbohydrates, together with proteins, fats and fibers.

Other nutrients in your meal also influence the affect on carbohydrate on your blood glucose level. For instance, high fat content in diet slows down carbohydrate absorption. Along the same line, fiber (which is a kind of carbohydrate) rich diet also do not increase the blood glucose level dramatically because it is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

The energy requirement of every diabetic person is different. Due to this, the carbohydrate needs are also different. Take the help of your dietician or doctor to determine the correct amount of carbohydrate on menus.