Exchange List Diet

Many nutritionists and weight-control programs — such as Weight Watchers and Canada's Food Guide — use the Exchange List Diet, originally developed by dieticians for diabetics. Foods are divided into groups according to their nutritional composition: starch, vegetables, milk, meat, fruits, and fats. A person is allowed so many "exchanges," or items, from each group per day. An exchange is a specific amount of food from a given group.

For example, one slice of bread or half a cup of cooked pasta each equals one starch exchange. Vegetarians can count certain plant proteins such as peanut butter and lentils for meat-group exchanges. The result is a flexible, well-balanced diet. The diet takes a while to learn, but it is relatively adaptable to individual food preferences and health needs, and it teaches people how to plan healthful meals.

• Originally developed by dieticians for diabetics.
• Used by Weight Watchers and Canada's Food Guide.
• Six food groups: starch, vegetables, milk, meat, fruits, fats.
• A person gets a set number of "exchanges" (items) from each group per day.
• An exchange = a specific amount of food from a given group.
• Examples: 1 slice of bread or ½ cup cooked pasta = 1 starch exchange; peanut butter and lentils count as meat-group exchanges for vegetarians.
• Adaptable, well-balanced, and teaches meal planning.

• food-is-a-friend — teaching clients to live with food.
• rethinking-weight-control — behavior-based weight control.
• macronutrient-distribution — grouping foods by nutritional composition.