I'd like to start some kind of database list for "legal" substitutions. I already know that a lot of people use Splenda for sugar. What about things like honey and molasses, are they allowed?

- Des

I was wondering how many of you have gotten teh ADA official exchange list?
For those of you that didnt, the simplest way to know what you can and cant have is this.. if its edible you can eat it. even as a diabetic.
Looking at the carbohydrate/fiber/protein rations is the easiet way to see.
First we all should know if we have all been into the self managment training that 15 grams of carbohydrate is equivilent to a slice of bread.
so lets say you wanted some molassas: you would know that 1 tablespoon has about 19 grams of carbohydrate. you can still ahve it but just reduce the other carbohydrate in that meal to allow for that item you are eating.

I ahve taught and have been taught that theer are foods that are forvbidden. Actually the only foods that are " illeagal" are those that say sugar free because they often contain higher amounts of hidden carb and can cause binging because people thnk that they are low in sugar and so you can eat more.

The key to eating anything is read the label and decide what is " worth it" and what is not.

If anyone wants me to publish the ADA exchange let me know.

julie

That's extremely interesting, Julie! Some things with very high sugar content surely can't be "exchanged" though, right? There must be many foods that people with diabetes should stay away from whether or not they could "legally" be exchanged?

actually, I'd like to see that list - any links, or can you print it here?

thanks!

first no there arent any foods that a diabetic cannot eat. We can eat everything in the world in moderation.
the counting and exchanging is where a lot f people get frustrated. But it really is easy.

Ok say you want a double scoop waffle cone with sprinkles. yes I have eaten this before!

First you have to have an idea of what each part is equal to.
The waffle cone wrapper, ice cream, whipped cream, marachino cherry and sprinkles.

EAch scoop is 1/2 cup. Its standrad restaurant portions. Sprinkles are per tablespoon, again standardized portions. You should have the ideea on this.
the wrapper is about 35 grams or teh equivilent of two slices of bread. 2 scoops of ice cream is about 30 grams as well( 2 slices of bread), a single marachino cherry is about 7( 1/2 slice of bread) grams of carbohydrate, whipped cream is about 3 grams.
Ok so now add all of that up, you have about 75 grams of carbohydrate.
thats equal to about 5 slices of bread. or a meals worth of carbohydrate.

So yes you can have this, but you have to forgo other carbohyadrtes to get this. So lets say yuor at dinner and you erally want this for desert you make sure that you eat proteins and two vegetable high fiber servings. thsi way you get desert.
Of course you dont do this all of the time, but a once a week treat satifies.

Exchanging is all about knowing what your carbohydrate per meal quota is and then working with in it. On average a diabetic is allowed 4 servings of carbohydrate per meal or 60 grams.

so figure lets say you have a dinner of 1 cup mashed potatoes( yes these are allowed) a 1/2 cup of buttered peas, a dinner roll, chicken breast, small salad, iced tea and then for desert a scoop( 1/2 cup) of full flavored breyers double churned ice cream with whipped cream and Hersheys Splenda sweetned chocolate sauce. here you have had only 4 carbohydrates and are full.

Thik about a candy cane. 1 candy cane 15 grams of carbohydarte. Give up a piece of bread and you can have it.

Anything is fare game. If it can be cought, cooked it can be eaten by a diabetic in moderation. or portion contrtol size. Of course if you really like mashed potatoes then forgo other carbs and enjoy your mashed potatoes.

Chocolate cake is often thought of a big nono. HA! yes you can have a piece of chcolate cake. If its store bought look at the nutrition facts and see what a slice is considered. If you really want it, forgo other carbohydrates to have that piece of cake.
hershey bars too.. I forgo carbs to have one.

its all how you are educated and how you look at food.

julie

I wrote a few years ago Factoring Diabetes. Its a basic handbook that explains about diabetes and basics of exchanging with images so yu get an idea. It also has an exchange list to get people started. You can buy a copy from
booklocker.com. Its an ebook.

http://www.booklocker.com/books/613.html

If you dont want to buy it I am going to strip out the graphics and post what I can here.

julie

Interesting...I will check this out.

I posted the first basic list of exchanges on the nutrition forum.
This is an excerpt from the book which was taken with permission from the ADA.