MACRONUTRIENT AND ENERGY DATABASE FOR THE 1995 EXCHANGE LISTS FOR MEAL PLANNING - A RATIONALE FOR CLINICAL-PRACTICE DECISIONS

For more than 50 years the exchange lists have been one method of meal planning for persons with diabetes as well as for those on weight-los s regimens. Little research has been conducted, however, concerning th e methodologic basis of the system or its clinical effectiveness. Just ification for specific food inclusions and general food groupings for the 1995 revision of the Exchange Lists for Meal Planning is provided by a database of foods and associated energy and macronutrient values. The mean energy and macronutrient values for each of the lists and su blists (starch, fruit, milk, and vegetables from the carbohydrate grou p. the meat and meat substitutes group, and the fat group) closely mat ch the mean exchange values; however. the standard deviation and range are large. Interpretation of the database provides a rationale and gu idance for decision making in clinical practice when using exchanges f or meal planning, recipe, and food label calculations.