Diabetic food exchange is a method of categorizing foods into groups that share similar carbohydrate content. Calories, protein content and fat content can vary. This can aid people with diabetes in planning a variety of well–balanced meals that help keep glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range.

Established by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, the system categorizes foods into the following groups according to their carbohydrate content:

• Carbohydrates
  
  
• Starches/breads
• Fruits
• Milk
• Other carbohydrates
• Nonstarchy vegetables
  
  
• Meat and meat substitutes
  
  
• Very lean
• Lean
• Medium fat
• High fat
  
  
• Fat (includes monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated)

Patients with diabetes can choose items on a food list knowing they are consuming a specific amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories. In this way, patients may substitute certain foods in their diet for other foods from the same list.