Exchange Lists Updated

The American Diabetes Association in partnership with the American Dietetic Association have updated their Exchange Lists.  

Foods in the exchange list are categorized into carbohydrate, meat/meat substitutes and fat groups.  Starches (bread, cereal, pasta, rice), fruit, milk, other carbohydrates, and vegetables are carbohydrates.  Meat/meat substitutes includes meats, nuts, eggs, and cheese.  Fats include oils, butter, mayonnaise, etc.  Foods in each group are listed in portion sizes so they may be used interchangeably.

The most striking changes with the updates include:

• 1/3 cup of cooked pasta is now considered 1 carbohydrate exchange.  In the past, 1/2 cup of cooked pasta was a carbohydrate exchange.  One carbohydrate exchange is equal to 15 grams carbohydrate.
• The vegetable category has been changed to non-starchy vegetables as vegetables such as potatoes, peas, corn, etc. contain more carbohydrate than other vegetables.  Starchy vegetables are now listed under starches.

Exchange Lists for Meal Planning.   American Diabetes Association, Inc. & American Dietetic Association.  

Daly A., et. al.  New Diabetes Nutrition Resources.  JADA  103; 832-834.