Managing Diabetes: Estimating Carbohydrates
Managing Diabetes: Estimating Carbohydrates
Sometimes foods do not have labels to let us know the amount of carbohydrates (carbs) they contain. Following are general guidelines for estimating the amount of carbs contained in many of these foods.
| Food | Serving Size | Estimated Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Bagels, fresh | 1 | 60 g. |
| Bagels, frozen | 1 | 30 g. |
| Beans, dry (peas, kidney, navy) | 1/2 cup cooked | 15 g. |
| Bread | 1 slice or 1 ounce | 15 g. |
| Candy bar | 1 "fun size" | 10–20 g. |
| Casseroles - noodles, rice | 1 cup | 30 g. |
| Chips - potato or corn | 15 small size chips | 15 g. |
| Coffee drinks, hot chocolate | 8 oz. | 15–25 g. |
| Corn, peas, potatoes | 1/2 cup | 15 g. |
| French fries | 15 thin or small crinkle cut | 15 g. |
| Fruit, canned - lite or no sugar added syrup | 1/2 cup | 15 g. |
| Fruit, fresh | tennis ball size | 15 g. |
| Ice cream | 1/2 cup | 15 g. |
| Juice or soda | 1/2 cup | 15 g. |
| Meat, chicken or fish, breaded | 6 nuggets or 1 patty | 15 g. |
| Muffins, bakery | 1 large | 60–80 g. |
| Muffins, homemade | 1 small | 15–30 g. |
| Pasta | 1/2 cup (1/3 cup if tiny pasta) | 15 g. |
| Pizza | 1 medium slice | 35 g. |
| Soup - noodle, tomato or cream | 1 cup | 15 g. |
| Soup - pea | 1/2 cup | 15 g. |
| Subs | 1 6-inch | 45 g (15g/2") |
| Syrup, jam, jelly | 1 Tbsp. | 15 g. |
For most carbohydrate foods, 1/2 cup = 15 grams carbs, with the following exceptions:
- Milk: 1 cup = 15 g.
- Rice: 1/3 cup = 15 g.
Use blood glucose testing to help confirm how these estimates work for you.