What is food exchange? The word exchange refers to the food items on each list which may be substituted with any other food item on the same list. One exchange is approximately equal to another in carbohydrate, calories, protein and fat within each food list.
What is food exchange example?
For example, foods in the Starch, Fruit, and Milk lists of the Carbohydrate Group each contribute similar amounts of carbohydrates and calories and may be interchanged. If fruits or starches are regularly substituted for milk, calcium intake may be decreased.
How does the food exchange system work?
In the exchange system, foods with a similar amount of carbohydrate per serving size are grouped together. The foods within each list can be “exchanged” for one another during meal planning, and you end up with about the same amount of carbohydrate. One carbohydrate exchange equals 15 grams of carbohydrate.
What is an exchange group for food?
The Exchange System groups together foods that have roughly the same amounts of calories, carbohydrate, fat and protein into "Exchange" groups, so that one may be exchanged for another. There are six main categories of foods: Starch/Bread, Meat and Meat Substitutes, Vegetables, Fruit, Milk and Fat.
What is the importance of food exchange?
The exchange system groups foods together that are similar into lists. By using food exchanges you can create meals with a variety of your favorite choices. It will also help you to control the distribution of calories, carbohydrate, protein and fat throughout the day so that your meal plan is nutritionally balanced.
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