Food Exchange |
US Unit |
Metric |
Comments |
Starches |
80 Calories |
15 g Carb., 3 g Protein, 1 g Fat |
- bread
- breads, other
- tortilla
- crackers
- cooked cereals
- dry cereals, unsweetened
- dry cereals, sweetened
- dry flour or grain
- pasta
- rice
- corn
- popcorn
- potato (small)
- potato, mashed
- sweet potato
- squash, winter
- cooked beans, peas, lentils
(add 1 meat exchange) |
- 1 slice
- 1 oz
- 1 (6")
- 4-6 (3/4 oz)
- 1/2 cup
- 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 3 Tbsp
- 1/2 cup
- 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 3 cups
- 1 (3 oz)
- 1/2 cup
- 1/3 cup
- 1 cup
- 1/2 cup
|
- 1 slice
- 30 g
- 1 (15 cm)
- 4-6 (20 g)
- 125 mL
- 175 mL
- 125 mL
- 45 mL
- 125 mL
- 80 mL
- 125 mL
- 720 mL
- 1 (85 g)
- 125 mL
- 80 mL
- 250 mL
- 125 mL
|
- Most starches are a good source of B vitamins
- Choose whole grain foods such as 'all natural, 100% whole wheat' bread, pasta, tortillas, and brown rice, etc. for nutrients and fiber.
- Combine beans (starch & meat) with grains (starch) for their complimentary proteins and fiber
- Combine grains (starch) with milk (milk) or cheese (meat) to compliment proteins.
- Add additional fat exchanges for starchy foods prepared with fat.
|
Vegetables |
25 Calories |
5 g Carb., 2 g Protein |
- raw vegetables
- cooked vegetables
- tomato or vegetable juice
|
- 1 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup
|
- 250 mL
- 125 mL
- 125 mL
|
- Choose more dark green leafy and deep yellow vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, and peppers.
|
Fruit |
60 Calories |
15 g Carb. |
- fresh fruit
- melon (cubes)
- canned fruit
- dried fruit
- fruit juice
|
- 1 small
- 12 oz (1 cup)
- 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 1/2 cup
|
- 1 small
- 360 g (250 mL)
- 125 mL
- 60 mL
- 125 mL
|
- Choose whole fruits for fiber
- Choose citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, or tangerines
|
Meat & Substitutes |
35-145 Calories |
7 g Protein, 0-13 g Fat |
- meat, poultry, fish
- cheese
- cottage cheese
- egg
- peanut butter
- tofu
- cooked beans, peas, lentils
(add 1 starch) |
- 1 oz
- 1 oz
- 1/4 cup
- 1
- 1.5 Tbsp
- 4 oz (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup
|
- 30 g
- 30 g
- 60 mL
- 1
- 22 mL
- 115 g (125 mL)
- 125 mL
|
- Choose leaner meats such as chicken, fish, and lean cuts of meat; add fat exchange for higher fat meats and substitutes.
- Remove skin from poultry.
- Limit frying or adding fat.
- Have 2 servings of fish per week for Omega 3 fatty acid.
|
Milk |
80-150 Calories |
12 g Carb., 8 g Protein, 0-8 g Fat
|
|
- 1 cup
- 1 cup
|
- 250 mL
- 250 mL
|
- Choose lower fat milks; add fat exchange for higher fat milk.
|
Fat |
45 Calories |
5 g Fat |
- oil
- mayonnaise
- cream cheese
- salad dressing
- peanuts
- avocado
- butter or margarine
- higher fat exchange (additional)
|
- 1 tsp
- 1 tsp
- 1 Tbsp
- 1 Tbsp
- 10
- 1/8
- 1 tsp
- 1 exchange
|
- 5 mL
- 5 mL
- 15 mL
- 15 mL
- 10
- 1/8
- 5 mL
- 1 exchange
|
- Eat less saturated fat such as animal fat found in fatter meat, cheeses, butter, and tropical oils (eg: palm). Also eat less hydrogenated fat, or trans-fats.
- Consume mono-unsaturated fat and moderate poly-unsaturated fat.
- Check Nutrition Facts on food labels; 5 g Fat = 1 Fat exchange.
|
Sweets |
Calories vary |
15 g Carb., Protein & Fat varies |
- ice cream
- cookies
- syrup
- jam or jelly
- sugar
- pudding
- muffin or cupcake
|
- 1/2 cup
- 2 small
- 1 Tbsp
- 1 Tbsp
- 2 Tbsp
- 1/4 cup
- 1/2 small
|
- 125 mL
- 2 small
- 15 mL
- 15 mL
- 30 mL
- 60 mL
- 1/2 small
|
- Choose sweets sparingly because they are high in sugar, saturated fats or trans fats.
- Can be substituted for a 1 Starch, Fruit, or Milk exchange.
- Add 1 or 2 Fat exchanges for sweets containing fat.
|