Smart Ones--converting points to exchanges???
 

Hope someone can help me!!! I am on a diabetic diet and have to record the dietary exchanges (1 starch, 1 fat, 1 protein, etc.), and I purchased a whole bunch of Smart Ones, which only list the points, not exchanges. Any ideas how I can figure this out????

I could haved sworn they had the diabetic exchanges on them in small print on one of the sides.

I don't think any of us have a conversion or way to convert it.

Kelly, I think they did used to have the exchanges. I have some in the freezer, and I just checked, and it isn't there. Sure surprised me. Maybe the Healthy Choice dinners have them?

I have no idea how you'd do that. I checked online and came up empty. If all else fails..go to the source. Call up the Heinz Co. and ask them. They should be able to email you the info.

I e-mailed Heinz and this is what I got back but I don't think they realized I was talking about Diabetic Exchanges and not the W/W so I e-mailed them back:

January 17, 2007

Dear Kelly,

Thank you for your recent email regarding Smart Ones products. Consumer
feedback is very important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to
respond.

Winning Points information and, until recently, exchange information,
is placed on packages of Weight Watchers products as a courtesy for
those consumers familiar with the Weight Watchers program. However, for
some years now, the Weight Watchers program has used a points program as
a means of recording food intake. For this reason, Weight Watchers
products no longer carry exchange information.

Nevertheless, your comments are genuinely appreciated and will be given
careful consideration in our continuing efforts to produce high-quality
products in packaging that is safe, practical and convenient. We value
your opinions and rely heavily on consumer input to guide product
development.

Thanks again for contacting us. If you have any further questions,
please don't hesitate to call our toll-free number.

Heinz Consumer Resource Center
[email protected]

When contacting us, please refer to the following reference number:
002597077A

HEINZ/JNEEL

Yeah..doesn't sound like they really addressed the exchange issue. They should have some historical data info on that. No company will throw that info away.

Hopefully the manufacturer will get back to you but if not, here is what I would do . . . I've had Type II Diabetes for over 15 years (in other words, lots of practice) :) .

As long as the package has the nutrition panel that shows Fat/Carb/Protein grams, you can make an educated guess (with a little simple mathematics . . . now don't freak over the M word ;) it really isn't that bad), based on the following . . .

(1) Estimate how many servings/exchanges there are of non-starchy veggies. Each 1/2 cup is worth about 5 grams of Carb and 20 calories.

(2) Estimate how many servings/exchanges there are of starchy veggies/pasta/rice. Each half cup is worth about 15 grams of Carb and about 60 calories. Fruit exchanges are about the same.

(3) Estimate how many servings/exchanges of protein there are. Think in ounces/exchanges this time. One ounce of meat has about 7 grams of protein and 3-4 grams of fat and about 60 calories.

(4) If you haven't accounted for all the fat yet, remember that a serving/exhange is about a teaspoon and has 5 grams and 45 calories.

You may have to fool around a little with your totals, but if you write it down once you are relatively happy with the result, you'll never have to figure out that particular food/meal again. :hug:

Meowee, what a cool post!

Here is the final e-mail I got back:

January 19, 2007

Dear Kelly,

Thank you for visiting our web site.

We do not have diabetic exchange information available for our
products. Please call American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383.

Thanks again for contacting us. We appreciate your interest.

Heinz Consumer Resource Center
[email protected]