GLOSSARY

Carbohydrate Portion Exchange Table

A carbohydrate exchange convention is a planning aid; confirm the local exchange system and use actual product carbohydrate data.

Carbohydrate Counting estimates carbohydrate in foods and drinks for an agreed nutrition or diabetes-management purpose.

Nutrition for diabetes coordinates food, activity, medication and glucose monitoring. Carbohydrate quantity matters, but food quality, distribution, total energy and individual response also require attention. People using insulin or certain glucose-lowering medicines can develop hypoglycemia, and abrupt dietary changes may require clinician-guided medication review. Carbohydrate counting describes estimation of carbohydrate intake; it is not itself an insulin prescription. Ratios, correction factors and targets are individualized and should not be borrowed from another athlete or an educational example.

A glucose value describes a particular sample and time, while glycated hemoglobin reflects a longer period with important limitations. Continuous monitoring usually measures interstitial glucose, which can lag behind blood glucose during rapid changes. Time in, above and below a specified range describe different outcomes and depend on the chosen thresholds. Interpret trends with symptoms, exercise and treatment context. An apparently favorable average can hide episodes of low glucose or substantial variability that deserve separate clinical attention.

Exercise can lower or raise glucose according to intensity, duration, starting status, circulating insulin and other factors. Hypoglycemia may occur during activity or later, including after the session has ended. An athlete with diabetes needs an individualized plan for monitoring, accessible carbohydrate and treatment adjustment. Severe symptoms, suspected ketoacidosis or inability to manage a low-glucose episode require appropriate urgent care. General sports-fueling targets cannot safely replace a diabetes-specific plan agreed with the treating team.