Among the most frequent queries from diabetes patients is about the amount of carbohydrates they are required to consume every day. The response to such a query is not generic; it depends on several factors such as the type of diabetes being experienced by a patient, their medications and rates of activity, and their health goals. According to the 2025 ADA Standards of Care, there has been a shift in concentration from gram counts to personal carbohydrate management based on timing and response as a result of high-quality carbohydrates being consumed at optimal times.
Importance of Carbohydrates to Diabetics
Carbohydrates have a high impact on blood sugar levels, compared to proteins and fats. When you consume carbohydrates, they are converted by your digestive system into glucose and absorbed into your bloodstream. In diabetes patients, controlling carbohydrate intake can be an effective way of managing blood sugar levels.
Key Insight: Tips from the ADA 2025 state that when it comes to carbohydrates, it is not how much is eaten that matters but rather their quality. Carbs that are high in fiber and nutrients and low in added sugars and saturated fats are favored over others.
Carbohydrate Intake Approaches
Although individualization has been stressed in the guidelines of 2025, there are a few methods that are evidence-based and found to be helpful for regulating blood sugar levels. These are compared below:
Standard Carbohydrate Intake (130-230 grams daily)
The American Diabetes Association recommends no specific amount of carbohydrates, recommending that all carbohydrates be derived from vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and dairy products. Typically, diabetes educators recommend an initial diet of 45-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal, and this amounts to 150-230 grams of total carbohydrate per day.
Moderate Low-Carb Diet (100-130 grams per day)
Evidence suggests that restricting carbohydrate intake modestly will help control higher levels of blood sugars without the need to severely limit carbohydrate intake. This will range between 30-45 grams of carbohydrate intake per sitting. This intake will actually help reduce A1C levels.
Low Carb Diet (50-100 grams/day)
“The low carbohydrate approach has received considerable support in type 2 diabetes research. It has been found effective in reducing blood sugar levels, requiring less medication, and cutting excess weight. This method is most effective in those who are resistant to insulin.”
Very Low-Carb/Ketogenic (20-50 grams)
Carbohydrates are limited to 20-50 grams per day on the ketogenic diet. Although great outcomes have been observed in some studies regarding glucose normalization and weight reduction, this diet needs to be monitored carefully, especially when insulin and/or sulfonylureas are administered because of the possibility of hypoglycemia.
⚠️ Important Safety Note
If you have diabetes and take insulin or oral medications such as sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride), or any medications for reducing glucose in the blood, you should cut down on your carbohydrate diet only after consulting your physician.
Recommendations by Diabetes Type
Type 2 Diabetes
A good beginning point would be a daily limit of 100-150 grams, and this would depend on your individual responses. Most diabetics with type 2 diabetes find that reducing carbohydrate intake below 130 grams per day creates a big difference. According to the 2025 guidelines, GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors can impact carbohydrate tolerance.
Type 1 Diabetes
In the case of type 1 diabetes, insulin must be taken based on the amount of carbs, which requires carbohydrate counting. When there are changes in food, these must be implemented in conjunction with the diabetes management team to ensure insulin intake adjusts accordingly. Personal carbohydrate sensitivity can be detected by CGM.
Carbohydrate Quality | What to Choose
The guidelines for the year 2025 for the ADA recommend that the quality of carbs counts just as much as the quantity. This is how you can improve:
✅ Recommended Carbohydrates
- Whole Grains (Brown Rice, Oatmeal, etc.)
- Legumes (black beans, lentils, chickpeas)
- Vegetables that are not starches (broccoli, spinach, peppers)
- Fruits that contain fiber (berries, apples, pears)
- Sweet potatoes and winter squash
❌ Carbohydrates to Limit
- Sugary drinks (soda, juices, sweet tea)
- White bread, white rice, white pasta
- Pastries, cookies, and cakes
- Candies & Sweets
- Chips and Processed Snacks
How to Calculate Your Personal Carb Needs
The most effective way for an individual to find their ideal level of carbs is to test them systematically. This is where the 2025 guidelines strongly encourage the use of technology such as a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to measure a person’s tolerance of carbs.
Step-by-Step Testing Method
- Test before eating: Test your blood sugar before your meal (fasting or pre-meal baseline).
- Record Carbohydrates: Record exactly the amount of grams of carbs you had.
- Test 2 hours after: Check your blood sugar 2 hours after you start eating.
- Assess the answer: Target post-prandial glucose level <180 mg/dL; target <140 mg/dL if possible.
- Adjust and Repeat: If your numbers are too high, cut carbs by 10-15 grams when you next eat.
Targets for Blood Glucose after Meals (2025 Guidelines)
Adjusting for Physical Activity
Physical activity raises the sensitivity and usage rate of insulin in the body. You may therefore consume more carbohydrates, as there may not be a spike in sugar levels.
Light Activity
Walking, Light Housework: Requires no change
Moderate Activity
Brisk Walking, Cycling: Increase 15-30g carbs around exercise
Intense Activity
Running, Sports: May require 30-60g daily; requires close monitoring
Sample Carbohydrate Portions
Knowing portion sizes is important to allow accurate estimates of your daily carbohydrate consumption. The following foods each yield 15 grams of carbohydrates (one “carb choice”):
Grains & Starches (15g each)
- 1 slice bread
- 1/3 cup of cooked rice and pasta
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 small potato (3 oz)
- 1/2 cup corn or peas
Fruits (15g each)
- 1 small apple or orange
- 1/2 banana
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- 1 cup strawberries
- 17 small grapes
Key Takeaways
- Every diabetic patient has a unique carbohydrate requirement; there are no general targets for all patients with diabetes, as they may vary from each other according to their type and medications taken.
- The guidelines for the year 2025 focus on the quality and not the quantity of carbohydrates. Eat whole and fiber-rich foods rather than refined carbohydrates.
- For the majority of people with type 2 diabetes, a daily target of 50-150 grams of total carbohydrate intake is recommended, but this needs to vary according to individual needs.
- Test your blood sugar levels prior to and 2 hours post-eatings to determine your ideal carbohydrate intake.
- Exercise enhances carbohydrate sensitivity: amount to consume varies according to level of exercise.
- Talk to your healthcare provider before changing your diet in major ways, particularly if taking diabetes medications.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Supplement 1)
- American Diabetes Association. Nutrition Overview
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- diaTribe Foundation. Nutrition and Diabetes Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you take diabetes medications.
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