Diabetic Diet Exchange List

For a diabetic, one crucial aspect that should be monitored is the diet. Each food item eaten by the patient can be of great effect on the blood glucose level of the patient. Using a diabetic diet exchange list could be a guide to ensure that the food items that could trigger worse health problems would be avoided. A diabetic diet exchange list is mainly a guide to get a proper mix or proportion of carbohydrates, calories and other needed nutrients.

Normally, a diabetes diet plan involves food items that are low in calories and fat. Strictly following the diet plan is important in maintaining the normal blood sugar level. Seeking the help of a professional dietician could help you out in understanding the concept of diabetes exchange system.

Basically, under the exchange system, food items are categorized into groups according to types—meat, fruits, starches, milk, and so on. For each group, you’ll determine the amount of food you can eat for you to get the same amount of carbohydrates, calories and other nutrients. Trading or exchanging of food items can be done since they technically have the same nutrient value or content. Thus, the exchange would not affect your blood glucose level. However, it should be noted that exchanging food items from different groups is not allowed.

For a diet plan with a recommended daily calorie intake of 1200 to 2500, you should consumed 19 to 27 percent of fats, 19 to 23 percent of protein and 55 to 58 percent of carbohydrates.

Some, meanwhile, have suggested this exchange list according to the calorie requirement: For those who have 1200 calorie diet, it would include three fruit exchanges, six starch exchanges, three vegetable exchanges, two milk exchanges, two fat exchanges and four meat exchanges. Meanwhile, for a 1500 calorie diet, it would include two milk exchanges, seven starch exchanges, four fruit exchanges, three vegetable exchanges, four fat exchanges and five meat exchanges.

Lastly, for a 2500 calorie diet, choose one milk exchange, 13 starch exchanges, eight fruit exchanges, four vegetable exchanges, eight meat exchanges and eight fat exchanges.

Based on the given examples, increasing the number of exchanges is needed if you have more calorie requirements. This exchange system allows free food and combination food lists. Free foods refer to those that have fewer calories, and if you consume a little amount of these, these may not be counted. Meanwhile, combination food refers to exchanges from two or even more groups. Normally, dietitians advise patients to break their meals into four or five small meals so the balance of nutrient contents would be maintained. Following the diabetic exchange lists undoubtedly helps in maintaining the blood glucose level.