Recommended Exchanges for Daily Diets

An exchange list is dietary information diabetics use to ensure they get the proper mix of carbohydrates, protein, fats, calories and nutrients in their diets. The goal is to control blood sugar levels by trading foods in specified groups that have similar nutrient content.

Establish Your Lists

• The Mayo Clinic recommends first meeting with a registered dietitian to learn about the diabetes exchange system and to develop a list of foods you like to eat. Foods are categorized in groups to "exchange" because they have similar nutrient content and therefore are similar in the manner in which they affect your blood sugar.

Daily Exchanges

• Work with your dietitian to set a certain number of daily exchanges from each food group. There are a large number of options, so this can be tailored to your individual needs and tastes, but remember that portion size and variety are critical in the diabetic diet.

  Exchange examples might be for certain foods, such as 1oz. of turkey for 1oz. of canned tuna in water, but there are also exchange recipes available, such as a carrot bread recipe exchanged for a cinnamon roll recipe. Visit The Mayo Clinic and The American Diabetes Association websites, both of which have many exchange list examples and recipes.

  The recommendations for exchanges basically fall into categories. For example, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, meat and meat substitutes, milk and yogurt, fats and sweets include groups of foods to exchange. You need to consider recommended portions, which your dietitian can help you set. For example, one banana (4oz.) is a recommended exchange for 12 cherries (3oz.).

  Keep in mind that these foods will not always have the same nutritional value, so check with your dietitian to ensure balance within your exchanges. There are also "free foods" on the exchange list, which are foods with less than 20 calories and less than 5g of carbohydrates per serving. For example, sugar-free diet soda, mustard and garlic are all free foods. The Mayo Clinic recommends enjoying free foods up to three times per day, but also recommends spreading these out throughout the day to avoid elevating blood sugar.

  Within ranges that work to control your blood sugar, find groups of foods you like to eat at certain meals or for snacks, and properly categorize them on your food lists. Over time, you will find new recipes and foods that you both enjoy and fit your needs as a diabetic, and you'll find managing your diet to be less of a struggle.