Most of the food you eat turns into sugar through digestion to act as a source of energy for your body. However, if you have diabetes you may have difficulty managing your blood sugar. Following a controlled diet can help you manage your diabetes. The diabetes exchange diet is a basic meal plan that helps you control and balance your carbohydrate, protein and fat intake.
Diet Basics
On the diabetic exchange diet, you are allowed to eat a certain number of foods from each food group based on your calorie needs. Your doctor should determine how many calories you need to eat each day. Foods within each group contain about the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. When meal planning, you can exchange items within each group. In addition to helping you control your blood sugars, the diabetes exchange diet also helps you control portion sizes for weight management.
Starches
Starches include bread, rice, cereal and starchy vegetables. Each starch serving contains 80 calories, 15 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of protein and 0 g of fat. You can have eight to 10 servings of starch a day. Serving sizes include one slice of bread, 1/2 cup of hot cooked cereal, 1/3 cup of cooked rice or pasta, and 1/2 cup peas or corn.
Meats and Meat Alternatives
Meat and meat alternatives include poultry, fish, beef, pork, cheese, eggs and tofu. One serving is equal to 1 oz. of meat or cheese, one egg and 4 oz. of tofu. Each serving contains 45 to 100 calories, 7 g of protein and 0 to 8 g of fat. If you are watching your calorie intake for weight management, choose more lean cuts of meat such as skinless poultry, fish and lean red meat. Include 5 to 7 oz. of meat or meat alternatives on your diabetic meal plan.
Nonstarchy Vegetables
Nonstarchy vegetable choices include broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and carrots. Each serving contains 25 calories, 5 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of protein. You can have three servings of vegetables a day on your diet. One serving of nonstarchy vegetables is equal to 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw.
Fruit
Fruit choices include all fresh fruit, unsweetened canned fruit, unsweetened dried fruit and 100 percent fruit juice. Each serving contains 60 calories and 15 g of carbohydrates. You can have three servings of fruit a day on your diabetic meal plan. Serving sizes include a small piece of fruit, 1 cup of fresh cut-up fruit, 1/2 cup of canned fruit or juice and 2 tbsp. of dried fruit.
Milk and Yogurt
Each serving of milk and yogurt contains 100 to 150 calories, 12 g of carbohydrates, 8 g of protein and 0 to 5 g of fat. Like meat, choose low-fat or nonfat milk and yogurt products if you are trying to limit your calorie intake for weight loss or maintenance. Include two servings of milk or yogurt a day on your diet. One serving is equal to 1 cup of milk or 6 oz. of sugar-free yogurt.
Fat
Each fat serving contains 45 calories and 5 g of fat. Limit your fat intake to three servings a day. Serving sizes and choices include 1 tsp. of butter, margarine or oil, 1 tbsp. of salad dressing, 1-1/2 tsp. of peanut butter and one slice of bacon.
