Tailored Sports Food Exchange Lists for Lebanese Athletes: Nutrient-Based Categorization of Commercial Products sold in Lebanese Markets

<ns7:p>Background Food Exchange Lists are commonly used by dietitians to facilitate meal customization and help in reducing the risk of diet-related diseases. However, there are still no exchange lists for sports food products that contribute to dietary planning during training and competitions. The aim of this study is to design a sport food exchange list for dietetic practice in sport nutrition based on the sport products available in Lebanon. Methods A mapping study was conducted by trained dietitians between January 2022 and April 2022 in which the nutrition fact labels of 60 sports food products from 20 companies marketed in 50 Lebanese markets, including protein powders, protein bars, nut butters, sport chips, and sport drinks were screened. The resulting database of sports food compositions was used to define exchange lists taking into consideration the macronutrients and energy content of the sport food products in 30 grams and based on typical athlete product’s serving size. The sports food products were defined into different subgroups based on their macronutrient and energy contents. The use of this exchange system by athletes is also presented as an example. Results Results showed varying macronutrient composition which were categorized as high, moderate, and low among the sports food products with some providing greater than the recommended daily values. Conclusion This study developed a preliminary sports food exchange list based on commercial sport foods specific to the context of Lebanon. While it provides a practical tool for dietitians and sport nutritionists to complement athletes’ diets, its applicability is limited by reliance on Lebanon-specific products and the absence of validation with athletes in real-world settings. Future studies should validate and adapt this tool across different populations and sporting contexts.</ns7:p>