Development of a food exchange atlas for Sri Lankan adults

Abstract

Food exchange refers to the food items on each list which may be substituted with any other food item on the same list. The aim of the present study was to develop a photographic food exchange list for Sri Lankan adults. The selected foods were categorized into six food groups; cereals and equivalents, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, meat and equivalents, fat/oil and equivalents, milk and equivalents. One serving size of each food group was estimated based on their predominant macronutrients; 15 g of carbohydrate for cereals and fruits, 5 g of carbohydrate and 2 g of protein for vegetables, 7 g of proteins, and 2–8 g of fat for meat and equivalents, 12 g of carbohydrate, 8 g of protein and 0–8 g of fat for milk and equivalents, 5 g of fat for fat/oil and equivalents. The foods were filmed as per standard food photography guidelines. The real-size images were displayed. A total of 312 food items; 141 for cereals and equivalents, 66 for fruits, 28 for non-starchy vegetables, 45 for meat and equivalents, 21 for fat/oil and equivalents, and 11 for milk and equivalents were identified. One serving size of each food item varies within the same food group.