FAT EXCHANGE LIST

 

Each serving in the fat list contains about 5 grams of fat and 45 calories. These foods contain mostly fat, but some items also contain protein. Fats provide essential fatty acids for healthy skin and development of body cells and a rich source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Although vital to health, saturated fats have been linked to heart disease and cancer and should be limited in the diet.

Both proteins and fat from the fat exchange have indirect effects on the level of blood sugar but the immediate effect on the blood sugar is minimal.

 

Unsaturated Fats

Avocado 1/8 medium
Margarine: stick or tub 1 tsp.
Margarine, lower-fat ‡ 1 tbsp.
Mayonnaise 1 tsp.
Mayonnaise, reduced-calorie ‡ 1 tbsp.
Nuts and seeds

Almonds, dry roasted

Cashews, dry roasted

6 whole

1 tbsp.

Pecans 2 whole or 4 halves
Peanuts 20 small or 10 large
Walnuts 2 whole
Other nuts 1 tbsp.
Seeds, pine nuts, sunflower (without shells), pumpkin, and sesame seeds 1 tbsp.
Tahini paste 2 tsp.
Oil (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, sunflower, olive, peanut) 1 tsp.
Olives† 10 small or 8 large
Salad dressing, mayonnaise-type† 2 tsp.
Salad dressing, mayonnaise-type, reduced calorie 1 tbsp.
Salad dressing, reduced-calorie † 2 tbsp.
Salad dressing (oil varieties) ‡

(Two tablespoons of low-calorie salad dressing is a free food)

1 tbsp.

Saturated Fats

Butter, stick 1 tsp.
Butter, whipped 1 tsp.
Butter, reduced-fat 2 tsp.
Bacon ‡ 1 slice
Chitterlings 1/2 oz (2 tbsp.)
Coconut, shredded 2 tbsp.
Coffee whitener, liquid 2 tbsp.
Coffee whitener, powder 4 tsp.
Cream (light, coffee, table) 2 tbsp.
Cream, half and half 2 tbsp.
Cream, sour 2 tbsp.
Cream, sour, reduced-fat 3 tbsp.
Cream (heavy, whipping) 1 tbsp.
Cream cheese 1 tbsp.
Cream cheese, reduced-fat 2 tbsp.
Salt pork ‡ ¼ oz

400 mg or more of sodium per exchange

400 or more of sodium if two or more exchanges are eaten