This diabetic diet plan was designed by the American Dietetic Association and ADA (American Diabetes Association). The main principle of the diet is in counting calories. Well it is none of the invention but the diabetic exchange diet has a lot of positive things to distinguish it from other plans.
How is diabetic exchange diet different from other diabetes diet?
The best thing about diabetic exchange diet is that ADA has sorted all foods into tables according to the amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and calories they contain. So all you need is just to use these charts to count the calories.
Why is it actually called diabetic EXCHANGE diet?
As it has already been managed this system sorts all foods into groups. So you can EXCHANGE foods within one group. The idea is that foods within one groups are similar in properties, so you can diversify your diet and still maintain healthy eating.
What are diabetic exchange diet food groups?
Here is a summarized diabetic exchange diet table:
|
Carbohydrate
(grams)
|
Protein
(grams)
|
Fat
(grams)
|
Calories
|
|
I. Meat
|
|
Very Lean
|
.
|
7
|
0-1
|
35
|
|
Lean
|
.
|
7
|
3
|
55
|
|
Medium-Fat
|
.
|
7
|
5
|
75
|
|
High-Fat
|
.
|
7
|
8
|
100
|
|
II. Starch/Bread
|
15
|
3
|
trace
|
80
|
|
III. Vegetable
|
5
|
2
|
.
|
25
|
|
IV. Fruit
|
15
|
.
|
.
|
60
|
|
V. Milk
|
|
Skim
|
12
|
8
|
0-3
|
90
|
|
Low-fat
|
12
|
8
|
5
|
120
|
|
Whole
|
12
|
8
|
8
|
150
|
|
VI. Fat
|
.
|
.
|
5
|
45
|
As far as you can see, the first group is called “meat substitutes and meat group” comprising lean meats and other similar products. Other groups of products include: Starch/Bread, Vegetables, Fruit, Milk and Fat.
What is the main advantage of the diabetic exchange diet?
The main advantage of the plan is that it is really flexible. Unlike in other diets (e.g. Atkins diabetes diet), you can make your daily meals diverse by exchanging foods within one group. At the same time, there are no strict limits, you may eat almost everything but stay within the recommended amount of daily calories. Besides you don't have to pay for a dietician to prescribe you an eating plan. You can do everything by yourself and be sure you are on the right way. Therefore the diabetic exchange diet has become extremely popular within the recent few years.
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