Understanding Carbohydrates for Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Learn how different foods can help you manage your blood sugar and kidney health.
Knowing what foods impact blood sugar and why portions matter can help you manage diabetes and protect your kidney health.
Understand how carbohydrates work
Carbohydrates are found in many foods and provide our bodies with energy. Too many or too few carbohydrates can cause your blood sugar to go too high or too low. It’s important to know about different carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates that are higher in fiber and help stabilize your blood sugar:
- Fruit
- Starchy vegetables (potatoes, winter squash, corn, and peas)
- Whole grains (oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice)
- Beans and legumes
Carbohydrates that may help stabilize blood sugar and provide protein:
- Nonfat or low-fat yogurt
- Nonfat or low-fat milk
Carbohydrates that cause a rapid increase in blood sugar and make it more difficult to stabilize blood sugar:
- Soda
- Juice
- Sugary cereal
- Cake and cookies
- Sweet tea
- White bread and white rice
Balance Your Meals
Use the Diabetes Plate Method to plan balanced meals and help manage your blood sugar.
Divide your meal into 3 parts:
