Carbohydrate Counting Many people with diabetes use carbohydrate ("carb") counting to estimate the amount of carbohydrate in the foods they eat. One "carb" contains 15 grams of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are mainly responsible for the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating, so people with diabetes can use carbohydrate counting to match the amount of insulin they take with the amount of carbohydrate eaten in a meal or snack. This technique can help people achieve better control of blood sugar levels as they manage their diabetes. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.