Q: Where can I get a list of fruits and vegetables for diabetic people?

A: If you count carbohydrates as a method to help you control your blood sugars, the diabetic exchange lists will be very useful to you. When it comes to fruits and vegetables please keep the following in mind:

One serving (exchange) of fruit usually contains 15 grams of carbohydrate, no protein or fat, and 60 calories.

One serving (exchange) of a starchy vegetables usually contains 15 grams of carbohydrate, up to 3 grams of protein, up to 1 gram of fat, and 80 calories.

One serving (exchange) of a nonstarchy vegetables usually contains 5 grams of carbohydrate, 2 grams of protein, no fat and only 25 calories. One exchange equals 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 1 cup raw vegetables.

The Mayo Clinic website, www.mayoclinic.com, provides the exchange lists for each food category:  Starches, Fruit, Milk, Other Carbohydrates, Nonstarchy Vegetables, Meat and Meat Substitutes, and Fat. Simply do a search for ‘diabetes and exchanges’.