| Diet is one of the most important components of | | | | protein. When used with salad dressing, however, |
| a diabetes care and maintenance regimen. Using | | | | add 1 fat exchange. Carbohydrates |
| the diabetic food exchange list is an excellent way | | | | Carbohydrates are an important component of |
| to ensure a healthy meal each time. It also helps | | | | any diabetic diet because they are your body's |
| expand your choices when preparing or choosing | | | | major source of energy. Approximately half of |
| a menu. What is the Diabetic Food Exchange List? | | | | your daily calorie intake should come from this |
| The diabetic food exchange list is a system that | | | | food group. Any of these foods may be |
| makes up the structure of your personal diabetes | | | | exchanged or swapped, depending on your needs |
| meal plan. It is quite useful especially if you're | | | | or preference: 1/2 hot dog or hamburger bun or 1 |
| looking for variety in your diet without sacrificing | | | | slice of bread 1/3 cup of cooked pasta or a single |
| the necessary elements that are required for | | | | 5-inch pancake. 3/4 cup cereals (unsweetened) or |
| your condition. This way, you can take a look at | | | | ½ cup cooked oatmeal or grits 1 tortilla or 6 |
| several types of foods available and then decide | | | | small saltine crackers or 15 pcs. of fat free corn |
| which ones to use for a particular meal without | | | | chips 1/4 bagel or 1/2 pita bread Fruits Fruits can |
| worrying you might be using the wrong type of | | | | be an excellent source of fiber, water and natural |
| food or food combination. How Does It Work? In | | | | sugar. The fruits listed below contain about 60 |
| the diabetic food exchange list, foods are grouped | | | | calories each with nearly zero fat. 1/4 cup water |
| into several basic types - fruits, dairy and dairy | | | | melon or 1/3 small cantaloupe or 1/2 cup berries 1 |
| products, starches, meat and meat substitutes, | | | | 2 cup orange/grapefruit juice or 1/2 cup of |
| sugars, et cetera. The exchange list will tell you | | | | pineapple or apple juice or 1/3 cup grape juice 1/2 |
| how much of each food in each group you can | | | | banana or 1 small apple Meats Meats are an |
| eat while maintaining your daily recommended | | | | important source of protein. Choose only lean |
| calories because calorie information is included with | | | | meats and skinless portions for poultry. High-fat |
| each food portion. Each food on the exchange list | | | | meats can increase your cholesterol level. 1 oz. |
| is called an "exchange" and the system will guide | | | | tuna or 1 egg or 2 egg whites 1 oz. ground beef |
| you in determining which foods equal 1 exchange. | | | | or 1 oz. of low fat cheese or cottage cheese 1 |
| It's easy to substitute one food for the other | | | | oz. of fish or 1 oz. of dark meat poultry (skinless) |
| because the exchange list will indicate which foods | | | | 1 oz. lean pork or 1 oz. lean beef Milk and Milk |
| have the same nutrients, carbohydrate and calorie | | | | Products 2/3 cup of fat free yogurt or 3/4 cup |
| content. If you swap a certain food with another, | | | | of yogurt sourced from 2% milk 1 cup nonfat or |
| you get the same nutrients provided you follow | | | | skim milk or 1 cup 1% milk (2% milk will also do) |
| the recommended portion control. The diabetic | | | | Sweets The foods listed below are a good source |
| food exchange list will help you measure food, | | | | of both carbohydrates and fats but they can also |
| regardless of which group it belongs to. This | | | | be great for your dessert in case you have the |
| means you won't need the assistance of a | | | | craving. 1/3 cup low fat frozen yogurt or 1/2 cup |
| nutritionist or dietitian every step along the way. | | | | ice cream 1 2-inch square brownie or 2 small |
| Long-term use of the exchange list will train you | | | | cookies or 1 granola bar More Details On The |
| into knowing how to make good estimates of the | | | | Diabetic Food Exchange List There are listings of |
| ideal serving size of any food that may be | | | | food exchange lists available on sites such as |
| available to you at any given moment. Whichever | | | | diabetes.org for free but if you want a more |
| you pick, you will get the same nutrients. Here's | | | | comprehensive exchange list, you can also opt to |
| an example: Vegetables Almost all vegetables | | | | buy them. Simply log on to the sites and order |
| may be included in the diabetic food exchange list. | | | | your own diabetic food exchange list online. |
| One exchange is about half a cup of cooked or | | | | Visit to learn more about diabetics menu and |
| raw vegetables which contains carbohydrates and | | | | sleep apnea and diabetes. |