The diabetic exchange diet was developed as a meal planning system for people with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, according to the Diabetes Information Library. Today, more people are counting grams of carbohydrate to control their diabetes. The carbohydrate exchange diet has taken the idea of the diabetic exchange diet and modified it to count carbohydrate exchanges instead of carbohydrate grams.
History
The diabetic exchange diet groups foods based on similarities in nutrient content, explains the Mayo Clinic. The food groups include starches, fruits, other carbohydrates, milk and yogurt, meat and meat substitutes, non-starchy vegetables and fats. Meal plans were developed with serving suggestions from each of the groups. The carbohydrate exchange diet simplifies the diabetic exchange diet by grouping all the carbohydrate-containing foods into one group. The food groups with carbohydrates include starches, fruits, milk and yogurt and other carbohydrates. A serving of a food in the carbohydrate group---any starch, fruit, milk, yogurt or other carbohydrate---is called a carbohydrate exchange.
Carbohydrate Exchanges
A serving of food is one exchange. Each carbohydrate exchange has about 15 g of carbohydrate, according to the American Diabetes Association. Carbohydrate exchanges include 1 slice of bread, 1/2 hamburger or hot dog roll, 1 oz of a bagel, 1/3 cup of rice or pasta, 3/4 cup of cold cereal, 1/2 cup hot cereal, 6 saltine crackers, 1/2 cup of beans (pinto, kidney, garbanzo), 1/2 cup peas or corn, 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of non-fat yogurt, 1 cup of buttermilk, 1 small apple, 17 grapes, 1 1/4 cup whole strawberries, 1/3 cup of prune juice, 2 Tbsp of raisins and 8 apricot halves.
Other carbohydrates include sweets and desserts. A typical serving of these foods may be more than one carbohydrate exchange. Dessert intake should be kept to a minimum to limit empty calories, advises the Mayo Clinic. Examples of other carbohydrates and their carbohydrate exchanges include 1 can of regular soda = 2 1/2 carbohydrate exchanges; 2 oz angel food cake unfrosted = 2 carbohydrate exchanges; 5 vanilla wafers = 1 carbohydrate exchange; 1 medium doughnut = 1 1/2 carbohydrate exchanges; 1/2 c fat-free ice cream = 1 1/2 carbohydrate exchanges; 5 chocolate kisses = 1 carbohydrate exchange; 1 Tbsp regular syrup = 1 carbohydrate exchange.
Protein, Fats and Non-Starchy Vegetables
Foods without carbohydrate include proteins, fats and non-starchy vegetables. The American Diabetes Association says to include a protein and a fat with each meal for balance when on a carbohydrate exchange diet. Examples of protein foods include eggs, meat, poultry and fish. The American Diabetes Association says to choose more vegetable fats such as canola oil, olive oil, avocados, soybean oil and soft tub margarine. Non-starchy vegetables have some carbohydrate, but amounts are low. Examples of non-starchy vegetables include lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, green beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, asparagus and cabbage.
Meal Planning
The American Diabetes Association says to have three to four carbohydrate exchanges with each meal when starting the carb exchange diet. The number of carbohydrate exchanges can be adjusted based on blood sugar levels, medication and activity. People can consult with a dietitian or physician to assist with individual meal planning. A sample breakfast with three carbohydrate exchanges is: 3/4 cup unsweetened cold cereal, 1 cup skim milk, 1 1/4 cup whole strawberries with a boiled egg. A sample lunch or dinner with four carb exchanges is: 3 oz of grilled chicken, 1 cup cooked pasta (3 carb exchanges), steamed broccoli, 5 vanilla wafers.
Benefits
Understanding what foods contain carbohydrate and controlling the amount eaten at each meal allows for better blood sugar control, says the Joslin Diabetes Center. It also allows people to choose from a wider array of foods for more flexibility with meal planning.
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