The Exchange System
A well-balanced and carefully controlled diet is
essential for those with diabetes. The main goal of the diabetic diet is to keep the
carbohydrate intake constant throughout the day. The exchange system is used to plan meals
with controlled amounts of nutrients throughout the day and can be used in order to
provide variety and flexibility in meal planning.
All foods are divided into six groups based on the
amounts of calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates in the various foods.
These six food groups are:
- Bread/Starch group (or
exchange) 6-11 servings
- Fruit group
(or exchange) 2-4 servings
- Vegetable group (or
exchange) 3-5 servings
- Milk group (or exchange)
2-3 servings
- Meat/Protein group (or
exchange) 5-7 servings
- Fat group (or
exchange) use sparingly
There are three other food categories used for meal
planning:
A serving of food within each group is
approximately equal, although not necessarily identical, in calories, protein, fat
and carbohydrate to another serving of food in that group and may be
"exchanged". Exchanging or substituting one food for another within a
group is allowed. Exchanging foods from one group to another group is not allowed. For
example, in the meat group 1 ounce of chicken is comparable to 1/4 cup of cottage cheese.
The 1-ounce of chicken and the 1/4-cup of cottage cheese both count as 1 meat exchange in
the diet as they are both from the same food group. It is not allowable, however, to
exchange 1 ounce of chicken for a piece of bread because they are in different food groups
and their nutrient content is not the same.
For those not familiar with diabetes, these
exchange lists may be somewhat confusing, because starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn,
beans, etc.) are counted as bread (starch) exchanges rather than vegetable exchanges.
Vegetable exchanges have less starch and lots of fiber. Foods are grouped into the various
exchange lists according to their similarities in calories, carbohydrate, protein and fat
content, which influences how they are utilized by the body.
It is important that no complete group of foods be
eliminated from the diet. By including foods from all groups, an adequate supply of
essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, as well as necessary carbohydrate and
protein will be likely.
Even for those without diabetes, the exchange
system is useful for those with hypoglycemia as well as for those for weight maintenance
or reduction.
Exchange lists are helpful for many that find it
tedious to actually count calories. It is an easy way for weight conscious individuals to
make substitutions in accord with their personal likes and dislikes. If diets are boring,
people will not stick with them. When an individual develops a diet plan most compatible
with his or her own likes and eating habits, the chances for successful weight loss are
increased.
Making choices during a diet is good preparation
for the choices that must be made when dieting is completed.
Click here for daily
meal plans from 1200 to 2500 calories
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