Diabetic Carb Counting & Exchanges

I am a little confused about cheese and I am a diabetic. I know that 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese is permissible, but what about the hard cheeses like cheddar, American and so on? What is in them that we cannot have? You can have hard cheeses and exchange cheese for meat in your...

I am a diabetic. I love peanut butter. What is in peanut butter that you have to give up one fat exchange? The usual ingredients in peanut butter are peanuts and salt. Some brands add hydrogenated vegetable shortening or sugar. Hydrogenated vegetable oil is a saturated fat which may be added to prevent the peanut...

My husband was just diagnosed as having diabetes. He's not taking any shots or pills. His doctor suggested we see a registered dietitian to get a diet. The hospital dietitian gave him a book called "Exchange List" and explained it. The list is pretty complicated and so different from the way we eat. Couldn't...

Why is the meat group in the Diabetic Exchange List separated into three groups? Do I have to have so many meals from each one each week? The meat exchanges are divided into three categories: lean, medium fat and high fat. All meat groups have the same amount of protein, which is seven grams. The...

My husband is a diabetic and I work for a physician where I help other diabetics and their spouses learn how to change their method of eating. I also have recently started teaching a program that focuses on healthy eating and has learned to convert recipes to exchanges. Is there a software program that...

What helpful hints do you have for converting homemade ice cream recipes for use by diabetics? Is it possible to substitute non-dairy creamers plus skim milk for cream? What substitutions can be made for the sugars? What is the use of cornstarch in recipes? I do not have a specific recipe for homemade ice cream for...

I am a diabetic. Is it safe for me to eat honey graham crackers? Yes, people with diabetes can eat honey graham crackers. The amount of honey or sugar in most brands of graham crackers (other than chocolate covered) is not considered significant. Three graham crackers measuring 2 1/2 inches square is equal to one starch...

How do you exchange soup with the Exchange List? I cannot find it listed in my booklet. I make both canned and homemade soup for my husband who is a diabetic. Most canned soups can be exchanged as follows: one cup reconstituted broth soups equals one starch; one cup reconstituted cream type soups equals one...

Visitors note: Updated 2008 diabetic exchanges The following answers are based on "Choose Your Foods: Exchange Lists for Diabetes" published in 2008 by the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

I have been trying to follow the Exchange List diet, but am tired of dragging along a food scale to weigh my meat. When I eat out, I try to stick to chicken, pork chops or steak, but this is the time of year for banquets with roast beef and turkey. Do you have...