How do you respond when your clients ask you how much carbohydrate they can eat?
When counseling patients with diabetes the easy part is explaining that carbohydrate is the nutrient in foods that has the most impact on blood glucose levels. The challenging part is explaining that:
1. About 60% of the foods we eat have carbohydrates (Yes, even nutrient-dense foods have carbohydrate) and
2. The amount of carbohydrate is directly proportional to the portion size.
How do you convey these key concepts in a short period of time? Perhaps you use exchange lists. I seldom use exchange lists because I see the fear in the eyes of my clients when I tell them that 1/3 cup of cooked rice has 15-grams of carbs. As a result they ask, “I can only eat 1/3 cup?”
An Easier Way to Teach
I created 2 visually appealing slides that have been a hit with my patients. They will help you teach like a pro in a short period of time! Avoid the hassle of explaining the difference between serving and portion size. Download these 2 slides and use them in your presentations or as handouts in your counseling sessions.
Carbohydrate in a Cup in English
Carbohydrate in a Cup in Spanish
Enhance your presentation
Pair your slides with props. Check out the Nutriportion™ measuring cups. The 4-cups (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1) have the carbohydrate content of popular foods on the outside of the cups in English and Spanish.
No need for:
- Carbohydrate counting charts
- Calculator to determine amount of carbohydrate in 1-cup when most exchange lists provide 1/3 or 1/2 servings
NO need to search for the food package and read the nutrition facts label to determine the carbohydrate content.
Interested in other teaching tools?
Check out the Carbohydrate Counting Activity Tool and download a 2-page handout to teach how to identify foods with carbohydrates and the amount of carbohydrates in popular foods. Take a look at my book, 15-Minute Consultation: Tips, Tools and Activities to Make your Nutrition Counseling More Effective chock-full of teaching ideas.
Thank you for reading!!!!
