How to Understand a Diabetic Exchange Chart

Diabetic exchange lists (or charts) help diabetics to control food intake and maintain an appropriate blood sugar level. According to the Mayo Clinic, exchange lists make it easy to balance carbohydrates, maintain a proper calorie intake, and ensure that you consume enough nutrients. The diabetic exchange lists are arranged according to basic food groups, such as fruits and meat. Each section is tailored according to how many calories you should be consuming.

Instructions

1

Consult the appropriate food exchange list. They are categorized as starches, carbohydrates, dairy, sweets and desserts, non-starchy vegetables, meat (and meat substitutes), fats, and free foods. For example, if you want dessert, refer to the "sweets and desserts" exchange list.

2

Choose a food from within the exchange list. It will list the portion size. For example a regular soda contains two and a half exchanges, the equivalent of seven and a half gingersnap cookies. That means that if you have two and a half exchanges left for the day, you can consume a can of soda, or seven and a half cookies (but not both).

3

Stay within your chosen food list. If you have two carbohydrate choices, you must eat from that list. You cannot, for example, exchange two carbohydrates for two meats, or vice versa.

4

Keep track of your choices during the day, so that you know how many exchange you have left and which lists you can choose from.