How many people eat right and maintain a normal balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates? Not many. But among there are those who are forced to do this due to certain circumstances. For example, people suffering from ailment, diabetes, are simply obliged to monitor their diet, especially the amount of carbohydrates that they consume. If you count carbohydrates in your mind, then this is a very difficult task for a person who has never done this before. But there is always a way out, so for ordinary people they came up with a generalized analogue - bread units. They allow a person to more easily and with less difficulty count carbohydrates. This article will be a detailed analysis of this off-system unit.
Bread Units for Diabetes: Definition
The homeland of this unit is Germany. Then this method conquered the whole world due to its simplicity. German nutritionists have done a good job of this.
Bread units (XE) - an off-system measure of the consumption of carbohydrates contained in certain products. Today, these units are used everywhere not only for sick people, but also for people who lead an active lifestyle and monitor their nutrition. The construction of an ideal figure first of all begins with the calculation of BZHU and calories.
So what is this interesting bread unit equal to? A common number is twelve grams of carbohydrates. This number is chosen so that about one and a half units of insulin are spent on the absorption of this XE.
Surely a well-read reader of this article will think: “Why did the choice fall on bread units, but, for example, not meat or milk units?” Ask yourself what product most often appears on a table with an ordinary person? Of course, bread. In almost every family, it is constantly in circulation. Therefore, the choice of XE is considered more universal. The basis was taken a piece of bread weighing 25 grams, which just contains 12 grams of carbohydrates. And the bread itself contains the largest number of them, not counting the sweets and buns.
Counting bread units in type 2 diabetes mellitus
For diabetics, the calculation of the total daily number of carbohydrates that he ate is simply necessary. Moreover, they must be distributed evenly, so as not to get terrible consequences. Carbohydrates are important for the body of such a person in the first place, since they are most easily absorbed, causing a sharp increase in glucose in the blood and the response of insulin. Since in such people the body reacts poorly to insulin secretion, in their case, an increase in glucose concentration can exceed the critical value and lead to death. And it doesn’t matter what type of diabetes a person has, first or second.
To control their health, namely, maintaining an acceptable level of blood sugar, patients with diabetes use products containing insulin and drugs that will lower the concentration of glucose. The dosage for each person is selected individually, depending on the carbohydrates consumed, since without knowledge of this value it is impossible to correctly lower the sugar level. Failure to comply with such simple rules can lead to a huge damage to a person in terms of health, as there is a high probability of going into a hypoglycemic state.
It is necessary to have information about how many bread units are in products in order to correctly develop a nutrition plan in which there will be the required number of carbohydrates. Of course, the numbers for each product are different.
Today, methods for calculating how many bread units in products are available have been simplified to the maximum level so as not to tire a person with tables. There are special online calculators for diabetics. They are so simple that even a child can figure them out. In addition, they take into account the individual characteristics of each person, including height, weight, age, gender, and even everyday activity and the type of work that this person performs throughout the day. This is extremely important, because the number of necessary carbohydrates depends on physical activity. For sedentary people leading a sedentary or lying lifestyle, the amount of XE should not exceed 15. For those who constantly engage in sports, have hard training or hard work, the number of bread units increases by 2 times. For workers with an average workload, the value is 25.
Important fact! One XE causes an increase in blood sugar by a concentration of about one and a half mmol per liter. These data will help to correctly calculate the dosage of insulin in relation to the eaten carbohydrates.
Tabular data
As already mentioned above, in addition to the total amount of XE, the quantity consumed at a time is important. Because the production of insulin in each person is individual, the body simply cannot neutralize everything. If we take the total number of meals equal to six as recommendations, we can observe the following approximate distribution of bread units in diabetes by food intake:
- Breakfast: 4.
- Lunch: 2.
- Lunch: 6-7.
- Snack: 2.
- Dinner: no more than 4. Late evening: less than 2.
That is, based on the foregoing, no more than 7 bread units for diabetes can be consumed in one meal. Also, more than half of the carbohydrates received should be in the first half of the day, since the production of all enzymes and the digestibility of all products are maximum in a given period of time. The rest of the time, it is better to give preference to protein foods. The following will show the amount of milk product that contains one XE:
- 250 ml of milk or one glass;
- 250 ml of kefir or one glass;
- 250 ml of yogurt or one glass;
- 400 grams of low fat cottage cheese.
Dairy products are especially important in the diet of diabetics, and indeed in any diet, since they contain high-quality protein and a minimal amount of carbohydrates. Also dairy products are a storehouse of calcium, vitamin B2 and vitamin A. Skimmed milk or milk with low fat content is best suited, as these are all extra calories. If for some reason you do not like this class of products, you can diversify them with fruits or berries, as a result, you will get a pleasant milk drink with notes of fruit.
In the table of calculation of bread units for diabetes, cheese is not indicated, since it is consumed in its pure form and the calculation of carbohydrates in it does not make sense, because 100 grams of cheese contains a meager number of carbohydrates.
Bread Products
It is also equally important to know with diabetes, how many pastries are needed per bread unit. Below will be shown, by analogy with dairy products, the mass of bakery products on one XE:
- twenty grams of white bread;
- twenty-five grams of rye bread;
- fifteen grams of cracker;
- fifteen grams of crackers;
- fifteen grams of breadcrumbs.
Many attentive readers have noticed that the above does not explain the amount of XE in meat products and fish. The answer is simple: this is not necessary. Meat and fish are high-protein products, the carbohydrate content of which is extremely low, and in some it is completely absent. A simple conclusion follows from this: it is better to pay attention to high-carb foods, the use of which depends on the lives of people with diabetes. Particular attention should be paid to cookies, rolls, sweets, sugar, preserves and similar products.
The number of cereals
For people with diabetes, cereals are a product of special attention. You can calculate the bread units in such a product, regardless of the method of preparation. And the consistency of cereals practically does not affect the content of carbohydrates in them. This parameter interests a person only if the absorption of the obtained carbohydrates during digestion is important. If a person is in a state of hypoglycemia, then he is simply obliged to eat liquid porridge. If there is an increased concentration of glucose in the blood, the choice should fall on the loose option. Below are data on the amount of product per bread unit for diabetics and type 2 and type 1:
- a tablespoon of buckwheat;
- one hundred grams of boiled corn;
- 60 grams of canned corn;
- fifteen grams of cornflakes;
- 15 grams of oatmeal;
- 15 grams of pearl barley;
- 15 grams of millet;
- 15 grams of rice;
- 15 grams of flour.
All figures were shown for dry calculation of the product. If the product is boiled, then the mass of the product by XE must be doubled.
Boiled potato with a weight of about seventy grams has one bread unit. Mashed potatoes are exactly the same with a slight margin of error. But fried potatoes have as many as 2 units for the same number of product.
For fruits and berries
In this section, we will talk about the masses of products with bone and peel per XE. So, the weight of the products will be as follows:
- 110 grams of apricots;
- 140 grams of quince;
- 140 grams of pineapple rings
- 150 grams of oranges;
- 270 grams of orange slices;
- 70 grams of bananas;
- 70 grams of grapes;
- 90 grams of cherries;
- 170 grams of pomegranate;
- 90 grams of pear;
- 160 grams of raspberries;
- 120 grams of peach;
- 90 grams of plums;
- 70 grams of persimmon;
- 90 grams of apples.
This section is rather descriptive, since the amount of carbohydrates in these products is not too high. But the calculation should not be neglected, if you eat a kilogram of apples at a time, the body will not say thank you for that.
Now let's talk about juices. Half a glass of freshly squeezed juice, in which there is only its own sugar, has about ten grams of carbohydrates, that is, slightly less than 1 XE. Thus, after drinking a glass, the body receives two bread units. Therefore, it is better to eat fruits and berries themselves than juice. In general, juices, especially those in stores, are concentrated mixtures with a high sugar content. If you still want juice, the best option would be carrot, beet or cucumber juice, cabbage and other vegetables. That is, vegetable juices are the best option. To get a pleasant note, you can add a little fruit juice.
Do not forget that carrots with beets have a small amount of sugar, that is, they are sweet vegetables. Their use in food is due to the high content of dietary fiber.
Berries are easier to count not in units but in glasses. In a glass of the order of two hundred grams of berries, that is, about one and a half to two bread units.
The taste characteristics of berries do not affect the fact how much carbohydrate they contain. Therefore, do not think that you can eat more sour berries than sweet ones, or vice versa.
Two hundred grams of carrots contain one XE. Also, one bread unit has about one hundred and fifty grams of beets, one hundred grams of peas, 50 grams of beans and about 80 grams of nuts.
People who are diabetic are constantly tempted by the forbidden fruit. Constant restrictions apply to them. They understand that they don’t need sweets and need constant monitoring. But you can control any product. Therefore, knowledge of bread units in type 2 and type 1 diabetes will allow many patients to please themselves with their favorite treats. For example, a sweet bun or whipped cream.
For 100 grams of ice cream, a calculation is made for two bread units. When choosing this dessert, diabetics need to consider its composition. Fruit ice cream contains more sugar due to the presence of concentrated juices, which means that such a dessert will be more dangerous than regular ice cream. Creamy ice cream is more high-calorie, but there are fewer carbohydrates, and they are absorbed much more slowly than fruit. So, there will be no jump in blood sugar.
Sugar Products
The forbidden fruit is sweet, so you need to determine how much. Below are the masses of sugary foods and sugar containing per bread unit:
- 12 grams of sugar = 12 grams of carbohydrates = 1 XE;
- 12 grams of refined sugar = 12 grams of sugar = 1 XE.
One bread unit is found in 20 grams of dark chocolate, in 15 grams of honey or jam. Twenty grams of dried apricots have the same value. The same is for dates, prunes, raisins.
And now for the drinks. Below is the amount of liquid drinks per 1 XE:
- a glass of kvass;
- half a glass of sweet sparkling water;
- two and a half glasses of vegetable juice;
- half a glass of fruit juice.
About alcohol
It’s worth saying right away that drinking alcohol is harmful to your health and is highly not recommended for people with diabetes. However, if the craving for alcohol is stronger than the desire for a normal life, then it is also necessary to choose drinks with the least amount of carbohydrates, as well as calculate bread units for them. Of course, the percentage of alcohol also affects this, so it’s better to choose low-alcohol drinks. It is of utmost importance to find out how much sugar is used in a given drink. Champagne and any wines are not strictly recommended, since sugar there is about 5%. This is a very large value for a similar product.
The best option is table wine, dry or semi-dry. It is enough to drink only half a glass so as not to exceed the daily allowance. Beer is not strictly recommended, since there is a huge amount of maltose there. When assimilated, it throws a huge amount of sugar into the blood, driving the body into hyperglycemia. And further and not far to a coma.
Control, control and control again. If you do not strictly dose alcoholic beverages, then the risk of death increases at times. For strong alcohol, the maximum allowable portion of a drink is 70 grams. In no case do not exceed this dose, as this is a critical load for the pancreas, which is the most important regulator of blood sugar. Hyperglycemia is provided at high dosages. Blood also coagulates from alcohol, although it is already viscous.
Scientists have conducted many studies and, based on experience, can accurately say that a patient suffering from diabetes, after drinking a large dose of alcohol, after a certain period of time falls into a hyperglycemic coma. The main danger comes when a person goes home after a feast, when the necessary time has passed. There is even a coma in a dream. The most dangerous option is in the winter, as a person falling into a coma on the street will most likely freeze and die. Do not neglect these recommendations. Life must be more expensive than a bottle.
Correct XE count
How to count bread units? For the correct calculation of the data of off-system units of measurement, you need to know all the ingredients, as well as their percentage per 100 grams of the finished product. For convenience, you need to take the product table in XE or use the online calculator.
For example, if you want to make a dough, then you need to count the bread units in each ingredient. In 10 tbsp. l flour contains 10 XE, one for each spoon. Then 250 ml of milk, in which there is also 1 bread unit. Oil and eggs do not have carbohydrates, therefore, units are zero.
Suppose you made 11 pancakes from such a test, that is, in each pancake there will be one bread unit. That is, for breakfast you can eat 4 pieces and drink tea without sugar. Great breakfast, not just for the diabetic, don't you think so?
Particular attention should be paid to the presence of carbohydrates in the product. In general, it is very conditionally possible to divide carbohydrates into two types: starch and sugar. Sugar is a fast carbohydrate, it is instantly absorbed, and all energy goes into fat in the presence of insulin. For diabetics, it is dangerous because it causes bursts of glucose in the blood, driving the body into a hyperglycemic state. Starches are complex carbohydrates, which are mainly found in vegetables and cereals. They are digested longer, providing a uniform concentration of sugar in the blood throughout the digestion. Corn and nightshade also have large amounts of starch. Sugar practically does not increase with the use of such products.
Particularly important is the calculation of bread units in type 1 diabetes. And most often such a nutrition system is offered to such patients.
But counting bread units in type 2 diabetes is also effective.
Generally accepted standards
How many carbohydrates does a person need at different ages (in bread units)? The answer is below:
- under five years old - no more than 13;
- up to 9 years - no more than 15;
- up to 15 years for boys - 20, for girls - 17;
- under 18 for boys - 21, for girls - 18;
- adults - no more than 22.
Summary
The question was discussed above, which concerned bread units, how to calculate them. It is explained that carbohydrates are the main source of energy of the body and a way to increase glucose in the blood, therefore, diabetics must strictly calculate the consumed carbohydrates.Figures were shown to help sort out and build a diet from the right foods. Also, do not forget to mention that for convenience you can use online calculators that make life easier.
In addition, modern industry also offers a unique product, which is often called "bread unit weights." In fact, we are talking about diet scales, which are able to calculate not only the number of bread units in the measured amount of the product, but also its energy value, the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and even cholesterol.
We hope the article turned out to be useful and taught how to calculate bread units.