Most of my clients with diabetes count carbs to help manage their blood sugar levels. It's one of many tools to help them with meal planning. What is carb counting? With carb counting, you estimate the amount of carbohydrates in your food to stay within a predetermined range or allowance for each meal and snack. Carb counting does NOT mean avoiding carbohydrates. It does NOT mean that carbs are bad. Carbohydrates are a nutrient. They are not a type of food. And many, many health-boosting, disease-fighting foods are rich in carbohydrates. Think fruit, quinoa, yogurt, milk, vegetables, black beans, chickpeas,