Information for diabetics and their families


Fat Exchanges

Monosaturated Fats Exchange List
(5 grams fat, 45 calories)

Description Amount
Avocado, medium 1/8 (1 oz)
Oil: (Canola, olive, peanut) 1 tsp
Olives: ripe (black) 8 large
Olives: green, stuffed* 10 large
Nuts: almonds, cashews 6 nuts
mixed nuts (50% peanuts) 6 nuts
peanuts 10 nuts
pecans 4 halves
Peanut butter, smooth or crunchy 2 tsp
Sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Tahini paste 2 tsp

Polyunsaturated Fats Exchange List
(5 grams Fat, 45 calories)

Description Amount
Margarine: stick, tub, or squeeze 1 tsp
lower-fat (30% to 50% vegetable oil) 1 Tbsp
Mayonnaise: regular 1 tsp
reduced-fat 1 Tbsp
Nuts: walnuts, English 4 halves
Oil: corn, safflower, soybean 1 tsp
Salad Dressing: Regular* 1 Tbsp
reduced-fat 2 Tbsp
Miracle Whip (R) Salad Dressing: regular 2 tsp
reduced-fat 1 Tbsp
Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower 1 Tbsp

Saturated Fats Exchange List
(5 grams fat, 45 calories)

Description Amount
Bacon, cooked 1 slice (20 slices/lb)
Bacon, grease 1 tsp
Butter: stick 1 tsp
whipped 2 tsp
reduced-fat 1 Tbsp
Chitterlings, boiled 2 Tbsp (1/2 oz)
Coconut, sweetened, shredded 2 Tbsp
Cream, half and half 2 Tbsp
Cream cheese: regular 1 Tbsp (1/2 oz)
reduced-fat 2 Tbsp (1 oz)
Shortening or lard 1 tsp
Sour Cream: regular 2 Tbsp
reduced-fat 3 Tbsp