Counting Carbohydrates has become the centerpiece of managing all types of diabetes. Whether you are injection insulin, taking medications by mouth or perhaps have pre-diabetes.
There are many wonderful books, websites and apps out there to help identify the carbohydrates in what you are eating or serving. The question remains- what ones are the best? In today’s digital world, why lug a book around with you? Chances are higher that you will have your phone with you and an incredible app to utilize for counting carbohydrates on the go.
Comprehensive diabetes management apps (in my opinion) have not hit the nail on the head. Integrating the data collected on diabetes devices (insulin pumps, glucometers, continuous glucose monitors) without manual data entry is vital to their success. Apps such as Glucose Buddy and Diabetes Tracker are wildly popular but seemingly tedious programs. Luckily counting carbohydrates on apps is a snappy process.
These two websites allow you to enter recipe ingredients and will form a total carbohydrate count per serving-
My Fitness Pal phone app (free)
Wireless tracking devices are incredibly popular, especially among those diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
Apps to take to the grocery store-
These highly popular, eye opening free apps allow the user to scan labels and select nutritious options while shopping.
ShopWell (both are free)- scan foods and get a rating on their nutritional content, also indicates common allergens.
Check out NutritionQuest- tools to assess and change diet and activity
Eating Out with Diabetes-
This is always one of the largest challenges with diabetes. The total carbohydrate count isn’t all you need to think about. Restaurants have a superior way of packing in the fat, sodium and extra large servings of protein. All of these factors play a part in blood sugar control.
CalorieKing (free)
Kitchen Scales-
Another issue facing carb counters is the size of the serving they have in front of them. One of our trickiest fruits seems to be a banana- there is no standard size and the estimated carbohydrate count can be incalculably wrong. I suggest you check out a kitchen scale- it is an amazing tool.
See She Sugar’s favorite kitchen scales here.
By utilizing these resources at your fingertips, counting carbohydrates in foods can be done in a snap!
**Here’s one just for fun, check this out if you have little kids- The Elmo Calls App. Elmo will call your child and tell them its time for bath or bed. ($0.99)**