The objective of diabetic exchange lists is to maintain the proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats throughout the day. Patients should meet with a dietician or diabetes nutrition expert for help in learning this approach.

In developing a menu, patients must first establish their individual dietary requirements, particularly the optimal number of daily calories and the proportion of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. The exchange lists should then be used to set up menus for each day that fulfill these requirements.

The following are some general rules:

• The diabetic exchanges are six different lists of foods grouped according to similar calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content; these are starch/bread, meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, and fat. A person is allowed a certain number of exchange choices from each food list per day.
• The amount and type of these exchanges are based on a number of factors, including the daily exercise program, timing of insulin injections, and whether or not an individual needs to lose weight or reduce cholesterol or blood pressure levels.
• Foods can be substituted for each other within an exchange list but not between lists even if they have the same calorie count.
• In all lists (except in the fruit list) choices can be doubled or tripled to supply a serving of certain foods. (For example 3 starch choices equal 1.5 cups of hot cereal or 3 meat choices equal a 3-ounce hamburger.)
• On the exchange lists, some foods are "free." These contain less than 20 calories per serving and can be eaten in any amount spread throughout the day unless a serving size is specified.
•  Exchange List Categories

  The following are the categories given on the exchange lists:

  Starches and Bread. Each exchange under starches and bread contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, and a trace of fat for a total of 80 calories. A general rule is that a half-cup of cooked cereal, grain, or pasta equals one exchange and 1 ounce of a bread product is 1 serving.

  Meat and Cheese. The exchange groups for meat and cheese are categorized by lean meat and low fat substitutes, medium-fat meat and substitutes, and high-fat meat and substitutes. High fat exchanges should be used at a maximum of 3 times a week. Fat should be removed before cooking. Exchange sizes on the meat list are generally one ounce and based on cooked meats (3 ounces of cooked meat equals 4 ounces of raw meat).

  Vegetables. Exchanges for vegetables are 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw, and 1/2 cup juice. Each group contains 5 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and between 2 to 3 grams of fiber. Vegetables can be fresh or frozen; canned vegetables are less desirable because they are often high in sodium. They should be steamed or microwaved without added fat.

  Fruits and Sugar. Sugars are included within the total carbohydrate count in the exchange lists. Sugars should not be more than 10% of daily carbohydrates. Each exchange contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates for a total of 60 calories.

Milk and Substitutes. The milk and substitutes list is categorized by fat content similar to the meat list. A milk exchange is usually 1 cup or 8 ounces. For those who are on weight-loss or low-cholesterol diets, the skim and very low-fat milk lists should be followed, and the whole milk group avoided. Others should use the whole milk list very sparingly. All people with diabetes should avoid artificially sweetened milks.

Fats. A fat exchange is usually 1 teaspoon, but it may vary. People, of course, should avoid saturated and trans fatty acids and choose polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats instead.

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/diet-000042_6-145_2.html

Link to the exchange list above....