Carbohydrates (or carbs) are a type of food that your body uses to get energy. Carbs are found in lots of things you eat, like bread, pasta, fruit, and even milk. When you eat carbs, your body turns them into sugar (called glucose). This sugar is what gives your body the energy it needs to play, learn, and have fun!
Now, sugar is a type of carbohydrate. It’s like a little piece of the bigger carb puzzle. Sugar can be found in sweet foods like candy, cookies, and soda. There’s also sugar in fruits and milk, which is natural and healthy for your body.
All sugar is a carbohydrate, but not all carbs are sugar! Some carbs are healthy and take longer for your body to turn into sugar, like whole grains and vegetables. These give you lasting energy, while sugary foods can give you a quick burst of energy that doesn’t last long.
How Does Sugar and Carbs Relate to Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
People with diabetes have trouble keeping their blood sugar (the sugar in their blood) at the right level. Here’s how sugar and carbs affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes
· In type 1 diabetes, the body can’t make a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps the body use the sugar from carbs for energy. So, when someone with type 1 diabetes eats carbs, they need to get insulin from outside their body (like with a shot or pump) to help their body use the sugar properly. Without enough insulin, the sugar in their blood can get too high, which can make them feel unwell.
Type 2 Diabetes
· In type 2 diabetes, the body has trouble using insulin correctly (like the insulin isn’t working well enough). This means that even though they have insulin, it’s not helping their body use the sugar from carbs the right way. So, when someone with type 2 diabetes eats carbs, their blood sugar can get too high. They can help manage it by eating healthy foods, exercising, and sometimes taking medicine to help the insulin work better.
In Simple Terms:
· Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, but carbs also include healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
· People with diabetes need to watch how many carbs (especially sugar) they eat because too much can make their blood sugar too high.
· The goal is for everyone, especially people with diabetes, to eat a balanced amount of carbs to keep their energy steady and their blood sugar safe!
