Bread unit

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The bread unit ( BE ) is a historical calculation unit for the content of certain carbohydrates in food. Internationally, the carbohydrate unit (KE) is used, as it is easier to convert values ​​in your head.

Different definitions, alternative units

The following definitions for the measurement of carbohydrates are available:

  • Bread unit (BE) : The German dietary ordinance defined a bread unit until 2010 as the amount of a food that contains 12 grams of digestible and therefore blood sugar - effective carbohydrates in various sugar and starch forms .
  • In Switzerland , a bread value (BW) is measured at 10 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Carbohydrate unit (KE) : corresponds to 10 grams of carbohydrates.
  • In the English-speaking world, the carbohydrate unit is common, which corresponds to 15 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Glycemic Index

The juxtaposition of differently defined units repeatedly led to uncertainties.

With a resolution of the German Federal Council of September 24, 2010 and in accordance with the recommendations of the specialist societies (e.g. the DGE ) and the BfR ( Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ), the term "bread unit" was replaced on October 9, 2010 by Article 1 of the sixteenth amendment to the Diet regulation removed from all legal regulations. The transition period for the declaration with bread unit or carbohydrate unit ended in October 2012.

application

Carbohydrate exchange tables show how many grams of a carbohydrate-containing food correspond to a unit of bread or carbohydrate . This assessment is necessary to determine the dose for insulin therapy .

Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant-based foods. But the amount of carbohydrates in food of animal origin must also be calculated, e.g. B. with yogurt , sour milk, kefir and buttermilk

Cheese and quark , on the other hand, do not require a BE calculation, as the lactose is slowly broken down by the body and therefore has hardly any effect on the blood sugar level.

Most vegetables and lettuce are not calculated because they have a high water content on the one hand, and the carbohydrates they contain are mostly indigestible or slowly digestible and therefore have hardly any effect on the blood sugar level.

In addition to the BE calculation, the amount of calories ingested via fat must also be taken into account. It does not have a direct effect on blood sugar, but if it is too high it leads to obesity and thus to insulin resistance. A balanced mixed diet consists of 50–60% carbohydrates, 10–15% protein and 20–30% fat.

A common diabetes reduction diet for overweight type 2 diabetics contains, for example, 13 BU divided into 5 meals.

  • 3 BE in the morning
  • 2 BE snack between meals
  • 3 BE at noon
  • 2 BE snack between meals
  • 3 BE in the evening

Type 1 diabetics of normal weight need significantly more BE to ensure a sufficient supply of carbohydrates (e.g. 18–22 BE / day).

When blood sugar levels are low, it makes sense to eat foods rich in carbohydrates, which the body can quickly convert to blood sugar ("fast BE").

Examples

The following examples are estimated values. They differ depending on which carbohydrate exchange table you are referring to. For example, a quantity of 200 g for one BE is sometimes given for strawberries; accordingly for apples 110 g. Finished products must be calculated per serving according to the manufacturer's average nutritional information on the packaging.

Individual evidence

  1. § 20 Diet Ordinance, repealed by the 16th ordinance amending the Diet Ordinance of October 1, 2010, http://www.buzer.de/gesetz/5588/al25027-0.htm
  2. Nestlé Nutrition Lexicon, keyword "Bread Value" https://www.nestle.ch/de/ernaehrung/lexikon#B
  3. What does KE mean? , from February 3, 2018
  4. ^ Regulations for food for diabetics repealed .
  5. ^ Ordinance on dietetic foods (Diet Ordinance - DietV) .