Hi all... I am joining TOPS next week and it is an exchange based program similar to LAWL. Seeing there is no TOPS group, I was hoping to be able to ask questions here as you all have experience with exchanges.

The main thing I am not sure on is food like my lunch right now.. I am having a Lean Cuisine Dinner - Honey Mustard Chicken.. How do I count it?

Thanks and I hope it is okay for me to post here.

Lori

I'm not sure how it's counted in TOPS, but LAWL counts a Lean Cuisine as one protein and one starch. BUT, to be used sparingly due to the high sodium content.

Lori - Actually, they just closed the TOPS forum about 3 weeks ago because of no action. You are certainly welcome to post here, and we can help you, but you may also see if General Support can offer some help too.

The LAWL exchanges for protein are a little off the normal. For exampe, we would get 2 proteins per day at 4oz beef, or 6oz chicken, instead of counting ounces. I think the other stuff may be the same. If you let us know how your protein is counted, that would help.

Most frozen meals on our plan that are allowed are counted as one starch and one protein, regardless of whether there are veggies or fruit, etc., so I don't know if that would be the same, but that's how your lunch would count for LAWL.

Hope this helps? Let us know.

That does help.. so the scant little veggies don't count for anything.. haha.

Here is what is said about Meat Exchange oh and I get 5 M per day.

Meat Exchange

Foods in the meat and meat substitutes list contain both protein and fat—no carbohydrate. That's why cheese is found in this grouping rather than with the milk group. Cheese has no whey (the carbohydrate found in milk). Cheese is mainly protein and fat.

A general rule of thumb for identifying foods that belong in this group is that these foods are suitable in a sandwich. Meat, cheese, peanut butter, and tofu are all good examples.

Again, fat levels will alter your calorie intake. Caution is necessary.

A recommendation of two meat exchanges does not mean you should prepare 2 different meat entrees! It describes a portion of 2 ounces.

Examples of one meat exchange includes:

1 oz. of chicken or turkey
1 oz. cheese
¼ cup cottage cheese
1 egg
1 oz. tuna
2 medium sardines
1 oz. beef, pork, or veal
For more meat options, check out our Exchange Calculator.

Dried beans, lentils, and peas are substitutes for meat and are good sources of fiber. A ½-cup serving of these equals one ounce of a medium-fat meat.

Remember: One serving of meat generally consists of one ounce of meat, fish, poultry, or cheese. Dried peas and beans are in this group, too.

It sounds like they may use the US Diabetic Association (or something like that) exchange program. Check on the side of the box for how the exchanges. I know it lists something similar to what you're saying.

I think that is what it is too.. but they don't have the exchanges on the boxes any more... I am in Canada so maybe it is different here.. they used to be on the box.. but I checked earlier and it doesn't say anymore..

Ok, what is TOPS??

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly

Hi Alantra,

I went to the Lean Cuisine website and clicked on Products > Nutrition Details > and then selected a category from the dropdown menu, and it gave the actual exchanges that I think you're looking for.

Example:
Roasted Vegetable Pizza
1 Medium Fat Meat,3 Starch, 1/2 other carbohydrate 1/2 Vegetable

Would this help?

OMG thank you so much...hmmm Med fat meat.. guess those are out...

I found the one I had... not too bad

1 1/2 Lean Meat,1 1/2 Starch,1/2 Skim Milk

I get a 1/2 MILK with that... YES... woohoo.. does a happy dance... Milk is soooo hard for me..