Easy Estimation of Carbohydrate Count in Diabetic Diet Therapy Based on Japanese Food Substitution List

Abstract

Diets based on a food substitution list (Shokuhin Kokanhyo) are recommended to most subjects with diabetes in Japan, and the list has proved to be a good tool for nutrition teaching and body weight management. Carbohydrate counting used elsewhere, however, to control postprandial blood glucose has yet to be widely disseminated. We propose calculating carbohydrate content based on the food substitution list, using 40% rice, 50% bread, and 20% boiled noodles as dietary staples with sugar content and 20-gram side dish sugar content. The difference between the precise count based on the food substitution list and our estimation was within 10 g in over 90% of the diabetic diet of 1,200-1,760 kcal/day. This easy way of estimating carbohydrate content could prove helpful in achieving good glycemic control in Japanese subjects with diabetes.