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Your diabetes diet: Exchange lists
Your diabetes diet can help you control your blood sugar level. Use diabetes exchange lists to make sure you're getting a proper mix of calories, carbohydrates and other nutrients.
Your diabetes diet is a healthy-eating plan that's naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Following your diabetes diet can help you keep your blood sugar level within your target range — and it doesn't need to be a struggle. Start by meeting with a registered dietitian to learn about the diabetes exchange system.
How the diabetes exchange system works
In the exchange system, foods are grouped into basic types — starches, fruits, milk, meat, etc. Within each group, you'll see how much you can eat of various foods for the same amount of calories, carbohydrates and other nutrients. You can exchange or trade foods within a group because they're similar in nutrient content and the manner in which they affect your blood sugar.
Your dietitian will recommend a certain number of daily exchanges from each food group based on your individual needs. Together you'll decide the best way to spread the exchanges throughout the day. This will help you keep your blood sugar level within your target range.
Use the following exchange lists — adapted from material provided by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association — to help you choose appropriate portion sizes and ensure variety in your meal plan.
- Diabetes meal plan recipes
- Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
- Exchange list: Starches
- Exchange list: Fruits
- Exchange list: Milk and yogurt
- Exchange list: Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates
- Exchange list: Nonstarchy vegetables
- Exchange list: Meat and meat substitutes
- Exchange list: Fats
- Exchange list: Free foods
