These days, food labels should have all the key nutritional information you need to count the carbs in your meal.
This video will help you to understand food labels and learn about the carbohydrate levels in everyday meals, with tips and advice from Jess along the way.
Key points
Always look at the ‘total carbohydrate’ on the label when carb counting. This will make sure you are counting both the complex (starchy) and simple (sugary) carbs in your food. Both will raise your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, and need to be matched with insulin.
In general, sugar-free options like diet drinks and jellies don’t need to be counted. However, it's still worth checking the ingredients list because sometimes labelling is misleading. ‘No added sugar’ may still contain sugar.
Remembering your favourite recipes and how many carbs are in them can save you time, as you won't need to add up the carb count again and again.
Continue learning
4. No labels? No worries... video
When you're out and about it can be harder to get information about the food you want to eat. But that shouldn't get in the way of having a great time, as Jess explains.
Hints for what to do when no carbohydrate information is available
Find out more
Carbs Count – eBook / PDF
Our free eBook provides a thorough overview of carb counting and insulin dose adjustment.Diabetes UK – Carbohydrates and diabetes
There is a huge amount of information on the Diabetes UK website about carb counting and diabetes.Type 1 Diabetes – What can I eat?
If you are newly diagnosed, here’s what you need to know before you dive into anything else.Learn more about diabetes on a course
Diabetes UK’s quick overview of education courses. Find out what’s out there and what may be best for you.DAFNE – Type 1 education course
Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating – Type 1 diabetes education programme delivered by the NHS to give you the skills you need to estimate carbohydrate in each meal and to inject the right dose of insulin.CHOICE – Type 1 education in NI
Education course in NI for young people with Type 1 (up to age 19).Can’t get on a diabetes education course?
An information pack that sets out your rights and explains what you can do if you experience difficulties getting on a local course.
Get support
Type 1 Events for adults
Come on a Type 1 Awayday to chat, ask questions and leave with new tips and knowledge to make life with Type 1 that little bit easier.Support forum
Connect with other people living with diabetes and tap into their knowledge and experience.Online communities
There are loads of online diabetes communities out there that can be a great source of information and support.Local groups
Find a friendly and welcoming local support group near you.
