Exchange Plans

Reviewed By:
Lynn Grieger, RD

Exchange plan basics

Exchange plans are used in programs such as Weight Watchers to supply a framework for timing and content of meals as well as portion control.

Foods are separated into various categories such as "carbohydrates" that include milk, fruit, vegetables, and starches. Foods within each category are easily "exchanged" with each other to provide variety and personal choice. Portions of each food are regulated specifically to control calorie, protein, carbohydrate and fat content. A typical daily menu would look something like this -- Breakfast: 2 grains, 1 milk, 1 protein; Lunch: 2 grains, 1 milk, 2 proteins, 1 fruit; etc.

To follow an exchange diet, you'll need a food plan that lists different foods with their exchange equivalents. For example, one slice of bread might be equivalent to ¾ cup of cornflakes or 3 graham crackers. There is no single food plan, and they differ slightly between agencies. If you decide to make the exchange diet a permanent part of your dietary lifestyle, you'll be able to make up your own food plan to accommodate your personal tastes .

Upside of Exchange Plans

• Food exchange plans provide a flexible structure that allows numerous food choices. You're unlikely to get bored, which means you're more likely to stick with the diet.
  
  
• Food exchange plans typically are based on sound nutritional principles that provide adequate amounts of most nutrients.
  
  
• These plans can be easily followed for life, allowing long-term weight maintenance.

Downside of Exchange Plans

• Weight loss is typically slow and gradual, which may discourage some people who feel they have a lot of weight to lose.
  
  
• Food exchange plans require you eat foods from every food group, even if you don't like vegetables.

Is an Exchange Plan for You?

This chart can help you see how an exchange plan fits your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Sample Exchange Plan Menu

Exchange plans are based on creating meals with a certain amount of protein, starch and other components. Below is an example of an exchange plan menu, although it’s important to remember that there are numerous exchange meal plans available:

Breakfast (one starch; one protein; two fruit):

• Half a bagel with with ¼ cup cottage cheese and ¾ cup blueberries
  
• ¼ cup apple juice
  
• Cup of coffee

Lunch (one starch; two protein; one vegetable; one fruit; one fat):

• Tuna salad sandwich (1 slice bread, 2 ounces tuna, 1 teaspoon mayonnaise) with 1 cup tomatoes and lettuce
  
• ½ cup mixed fruit cup
  
• Cup of herbal tea
  

Dinner (two starch, two protein, three vegetable):

• 2 ounces sausage and ½ cup eggplant in ½ cup tomato sauce over 2/3 cup pasta
  
• 1 cup salad on the side
• Diet soda
  

Snacks:

• 1½ graham crackers and 1 cup milk (one starch and 1 dairy)
  
• Popcorn with no butter (one starch)
  

Lynn Grieger, RD on Exchange Plans

This diet is one of the healthier and more logical diet plans out there. You can't go wrong in terms of your health or ease of meal planning if you use these systems.

iVillagers on Exchange Plans

"I have been on the exchange diet since mid-November and I have lost 50 pounds. My triglycerides have dropped 285 points and my cholesterol has dropped 42 points." -- iVillager imaltese

"I think exchange plans work if you follow them, but I got tired of counting points and calories." -- An iVillager

See what other iVillagers have to say and weigh in with your own comments and stories on our Message Boards:

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