Choosing the right foods for a diabetic meal is similar to food choices for a regular healthy diet. Both require important nutrients -- carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins and water. The goal is to control your blood sugar by choosing the right balance of foods from the exchange lists to help you plan your meals. Anyone in your family can benefit from a diabetic meal plan. Planning meals, exercising and taking medications are ways to control your diabetes. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about meal planning and controlling your diabetes.
One Starch Exchange Each Day
Examples of foods on a starch exchange list are wheat, rye and white breads, dry and unsweetened cereals, crackers, corn, cooked dried beans, rice, barley, macaroni, yams, sweet or white potatoes. Serving sizes vary, but they all have the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat.
Two Fruit Exchanges Each Day
Examples of fruits on the exchange list are apples, apricots, bananas, berries, melons, dried fruit, grapes, mangoes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, prunes, raisins, tangerines, watermelon. Serving size varies, but all have the same amount of calories and carbohydrates.
Three Milk Exchanges Each Day
Examples of foods on a milk exchange list are whole milk, non-fat milk, low-fat milk, dry milk, evaporated milk, yogurt and buttermilk. Serving sizes vary slightly. They all have the same amount of calories, fat and protein.
Four Non-starchy Exchanges Each Day
Examples of foods on a non-starchy exchange list are vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, all leafy greens, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, salad greens, tomatoes, squash and vegetable juice. Serving sizes are the same, and they all have the same amount of calories, carbohydrates and protein.
Five Meat Exchanges Each Day
Examples of foods on a meat exchange list are very lean meats and high protein foods, such as poultry, fish, shellfish, wild game, cheese, egg white, egg substitutes. Examples of lean meats and other high-protein foods are beef, pork, lamb, dark meat from poultry, salmon, sardines, cottage cheese and hot dogs. Examples of medium-fat meats are types of beef, pork, lamb, and veal and fried fish. Examples of high-fat meats are pork sausage, ribs, cheese, deli meats, hot dog and peanut butter. Serving size for meat are all 1 oz. They all have the same amount of calories, fat and protein.
Six Fat Exchanges Each Day
Examples of foods on a fat exchange list are butter, margarine, avocado, vegetable oils, cooked bacon, cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, olives, nuts and seeds, salad dressings, sour cream. Serving sizes vary, but they all have the same amount of calories and fat.
