How to Convert Foods into Exchanges for Meal Planning using Nutrient Analysis

One way to evaluate mixed foods is to evaluate recipes as shown in Activity 1.1 Apportioning Recipes. However, many occasional foods are commercial foods that may have Nutrition Facts panel on food packaging, be included in USDA National Nutrient Database, or in other nutrient analysis software.

For example, shortbread cookies are included Mr Robertson's diet history, but are not included in the Exchange Lists in Appendix 18 in Krause.⁽¹⁾  The following information is included in the USDA Database with the following nutrients which can be used to convert his cookies into exchanges:

Amount Per Serving of 2 cookies — Keebler Sandies Shortbread, Plain

1. In this case the 19 g carbohydrate is a little more than the number of grams in a Sweets/Alt Carbohydrate (15 g).
    
2. The fat content of 2 cookies, is 8.99, very close to the number of grams in 2 Fat exchanges (5 x 2 = 10 g)
    
3. So in this case 2 shortbread cookies would be counted as 1 Sweets/Alt Carbohydrate and 2 Fat
    
4. The amount of protein is less than 2 grams so no other exchange would be counted.  
   Note: If the grams of protein were closer to 3 g, then a Starch exchange may be considered instead of a Sweet/Alt carbohydrate which would provide 14 g carbohydrate and 3 g protein.
    
5. To double check your conversion, compare the calories from the exchanges (60 + 90 = 150 kcal) with the calories reported (160 kcal). They are close, so you can verify that this is probably the appropriate way to account for the macronutrients and energy in the food item.
   Note: If counted as 1 Starchy Foods and 2 Fats the energy would be 170 kcal (80 + 90 = 170 kcal). However, since a regular Starchy Foods exchange could be more nutrient rich foods, e.g. whole grain breads, etc, you may want to keep the cookies in the Sweets/Alt Carbohydrate to acknowledge that few addtional nutrients are likely in cookies and make it easier to identify as opportuity for improvement.  

References:
1.  Raymond JL, Morrow K. Krause and Mahan’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process 15^th ed. St Louis, MO; Elsevier Saunders: 2021.
2.  Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Diabetes Association. Choose Your Foods Food Lists for Diabetes. USA: 2014.
3.  28267 Keebler Sandies, Shortbread Plain. Available at: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/2136261/nutrients  Accessed 19 August 2024.