Sorry.. but this was a sham ! barely 58 pages of info. now remember, this is a pocket guide.. Quite a rip-off ! Go on line and print off same information for ZIP ! Shame on you Amazon..

Truthfully, this book is so thin that it is a waste of $5.95...Go to the library and check out something similar for free and photocopy what you need...I will never use the book I bought -- same info is readily available online and elsewhere.

I have to say that I was a bit set back when I received this booklet,The Official Pocket Guide for Diabetics. I was expecting something a bit more helpful for someone who had just been diagnosed with Diabetes.
I suppose that it is ok, but would not recommend paying more than a couple of dollars for this product.
I wound up going to another bookstore and purchasing a much more concise and helpful book.

This book is not very helpful. The information, once it has been learned---ELSEWHERE--or, far away, long ago, on a distant planet---I can't imagine anyone needing this kind of help to do these conversions.

Everyone should have one of these. Especially those new to the diabetic lifestyle. Packed with information and helps one make sensible food choices to keep blood sugar in check.

A handy pocket sized companion for Type 2 diabetics who want to know more about portion sizes and food equivalents and exchanges.

This little booklet is great for those who are going to track diabetic exchanges, and it gives you a good idea of typical/appropriate portion sizes. But unless you're really going to track exchanges (I use a different method), skip it. No frills, but does the one job well.

This little booklet is great for those who are going to track diabetic exchanges, and it gives you a good idea of typical/appropriate portion sizes. But unless you're really going to track exchanges (I use a different method), skip it. No frills, but does the one job well.

I purchased this picket guide right after being diagnosed with Type 2 and it has been the best thing I could have done. Because of its size, I keep it with me all the time and constantly check it when trying to make food decisions. Don't know what I would do without it.

I bought this for my Mom - she finds it to be a useful and handy book in her search for appropriate foods.

I bought this for my Mom - she finds it to be a useful and handy book in her search for appropriate foods.

There is nothing more basic for weight and blood sugar management than the food exchanges. They are called exchanges because the foods in each group can be exchanged with each other and still supply a similar amount of calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients. "The Official Pocket Guide to Dieabetic Exchanges" is an excellent resource for describing the nature and benefits of the exchanges.

I have been a diabetic since the age of 50. It is certainly easier to use the exchange system then laboriously counting calories and carbohydrates. They give us a short hand method of coming up with close approximations.

One thing that can also be of benefit to diabetics is the glycemic index which measures the impact of various carbohydrates on our blood sugar level. Glucose is given a value of 100. All other foods are ranked according to the percentage rise they cause as compared to glucose. For example, apple juice has a glycemic index of 40. This means that a serving of apple juice containing 25 grams of carbohydrates would cause a blood sugar rise that is 40 percent of that which would be caused by 25 grams of pure glucose.

Related to the glycemic index is the glycemic load which applied the glycemic index to serving sizes. To calculate the glycemic load the grams of carbohydrates (less the fiber) is multiplied by the glycemic index expressed as a percentage. An exchange of apple juice has 15 grams of carbohydrates. Multiplying this by 40% (glycemic index of 40) yields a glycemic load of 6. Now lets compare this to 15 gm of watermelon. Watermelon has a glycemic index of 72 which is higher than table sugar. The glycemic load of watermelon is 11 (15 x .72 = 11). Thus the impact of watermelon on our blood sugar is almost twice for the same level of carbohydrates. Fortunately, a half of watermelon only has six grams of carbohydrates as compared to a half cup of apple juice which has 14. Measured on a volume basis the apple juice actually has a higher glycemic impact. No such luck with a baked potato which has a glycemic index of 85. A half cup of baked potatoes has 38 grams of carbohydrate. This yields a glycemic load of 32 (38 X .95 = 32).

Determining the glycemic impact of foods does require more effort than just counting exchanges. But by getting involved in the details I have been able to lose nearly 80 pounds and am able to manage my blood sugar levels with diet and exercise. This has certainly been a worthwhile effort for me. I am sure that it would be for others.

Good Eating.

Even if you don't suffer from diabetes, virtually everything you need to know about following a well-balanced diet based on food exchanges is provided in this convenient pocket-sized booklet. Don't bother wasting your money on weight loss groups, gadgets or gimmicks. ...you'll find this tiny paperback fully stocked with on-target, no-nonsense information you need on what constitutes servings of protein, carbs, fat, etc. and can design your own diet plan sensibly for safe and healthy weight loss.

Author of
THE TRUTH
ABOUT CAFFEINE

This is exactly what my dietician wrote up for me to follow yet in a condensed, easy to follow, easy to tote reference. It outlines a basic plan for eating. For me, knowing the amount of calories per serving for each of the food groups really helped.

By following these healthful habits, I was able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight (lost over 30 pounds in 8 weeks) while eating 1500 to 1800 calories without feeling hungry or deprived. Working out 6 weeks prior to following this plan (and prior to meeting with a dietician) without changing my diet brought no weight loss even though my fitness level increased.

This pocket guide isn't just for diabetics.

Packed with more information than some larger books. Small enough to carry with you. Very impressive. Would recommend.

This is the pocket version of the American Diabetes Association Exchange Diet Plan. Although it is not comprehensive, it does give examples of enough foods in each category to be able to determine the exchanges for other foods which are not listed. Also contains a section on Combination foods and Fast foods.

this is a handy reference to have with you when you are out. however, it is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive.