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