The food exchange system is used for caloric control and planning a balanced diet for diabetes patients. It was developed as a tool for educational purposes, and has diseases including obesity. The Korean food exchange system was developed in 1988 in a joint effort by the Korean Diabetes Association, The Korean Dietetic Association, and The Korean Nutrition Society in a way that suited a regular Korean diet. In 1995, some modifications were made on one food exchange unit and a complement was also added.

The standard Korean diet rapidly changed due to the rapid growth of the national economy as well as more westernized lifestyles and improved food processing technology. As a result, in 2009, the Korean Diabetes Association, The Korean Dietetic Association, Korean Association of Diabetes Dietetic Educators, The Korean Society of Community Nutrition, and The Korean Nutrition Society jointly revised the food exchange system.

In May, 2010, the < Diabetes Food Exchange System Guide, been widely used for dietary management for various 3rd Edition >, which included the revised food exchange system, was published.