Using Food Labels

Nutrition Facts on food labels can help you with food choices. These labels are required by law for most foods and are based on standard serving sizes. However, these serving sizes may not always be the same as the serving sizes for a person with Diabetes.

Check the serving size on the label. Is it nearly the same size as the amount on the diabetic food exchange list?

You may need to adjust the size of the serving to fit your meal plan.

Look at the grams of Carbohydrate on the label. (One starch, fruit, milk or other carbohydrate has about 15 grams of carbohydrate.) So, if 1 cup of cereal has 30 grams of carbohydrate, it will count as 2 carbohydrate choices in your meal plan. You may need to adjust the size of the serving so it contains the number of carbohydrate choices you are supposed to have for a meal or a snack.

Look at the grams of Protein on the label. (One meat choice has 7 grams of protein.) If the food has more than 7 grams of protein in a serving, you can figure out the number of meat choices by dividing the grams of protein by 7. Meats generally contain fat, too.

Look at the grams of Fat on the label. (One fat choice has 5 grams of fat.) If one waffle has 15 grams of carbohydrate and 5 grams of fat; it counts as 1 carbohydrate choice and 1 fat choice.

Healthy Plate Tips

When serving up your food for a meal, always start with the healthy vegetables and fill up one half of your plate. When eating out, ask for the doggy box immediately when they serve your meal. Place the amount in the box that is too much for what you are supposed to have for the meal and take it home for another meal.

Important

If you have Type 1 Diabetes Make sure your Diabetes self-management toolkit contains ketostix. This could prevent Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and an unwanted trip to the hospital.