Diabetic exchange lists are a nutrition tool designed to help diabetics control their eating habits in order to manage their sugar levels and overall diet more effectively. The lists divide foods into separate categories revolving around basic groups including vegetables, fruit, milk, proteins, dairy items, starches and fats, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Exchanges Allowed
Diabetic exchange lists vary based on the total calories you should eat each day, in addition to your specific health issues. A diabetic-exchange plan for a person who eats 1,500 calories per day typically allows 8 starch exchanges, 5 meat exchanges, 3 each of fat, fruit and vegetable exchanges and 2 milk exchanges, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Serving Sizes
Servings of exchange foods within each list supply similar amounts of calories and other nutrients. For example, standard vegetable servings are often 1/2 to 1 cup, which provides about 5 g of carbohydrates and 25 calories, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute -- while standard fat servings are frequently 1 tsp., which provides about 5 g of fat and 45 calories.
Substitution Considerations
To use diabetic exchange lists properly, you must eat no more than the specified amounts of foods within each list. You may substitute other foods on the same list, however, because they contain a similar number of calories, carbohydrates, fat and other relevant nutrients, according to the Mayo Clinic.
