Cookies, shortbread, reduced fat
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Reduced-fat shortbread is a crumbly, buttery biscuit with a tender, sandy texture that melts on the tongue. It offers the classic, rich vanilla-butter flavor profile but with a lighter, less greasy finish. Nutritionally, it remains a dense source of energy, primarily from refined carbohydrates and sugars.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 67% carbs · 28% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its delicate, buttery sweetness and satisfying crumble, which provides a nostalgic comfort. Its versatility makes it perfect for pairing with tea, coffee, or crumbled over desserts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate and sugar content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it less ideal for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein (like a handful of nuts) or healthy fat (like a piece of cheese) to slow sugar absorption. Be mindful of portion size, as it's easy to overconsume.
Key benefits
- Lower in total fat than traditional shortbread
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Source of some dietary fiber
- Often portion-controlled in commercial packs
- Offers a familiar, comforting treat with reduced fat content
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Traditional shortbread gets its name from its 'short' texture—a term in baking referring to a high fat content that inhibits gluten formation, resulting in a tender, crumbly bite rather than a chewy one.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 3.6 g |
| Energy | 451 kcal |
| Energy | 1889 kj |
| Protein | 5.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.0 g |
| Ash | 1.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 76.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.6 g |
| Sucrose | 21.0 g |
| Glucose | 0.36 g |
| Fructose | 0.30 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 40.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 13.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 14.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 66.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 88.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 571 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.49 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.39 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 6.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.35 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.31 mg |
| Niacin | 3.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.32 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 81.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 45.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 36.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 113 ug |
| Choline, total | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 24.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.26 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 9.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 3.4 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.36 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.74 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.51 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.19 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 2.7 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.93 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.17 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 6.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.47 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cookies, animal crackers (includes arrowroot, tea biscuits) — USDA does not publish this profile for Cookies.
| Tryptophan | 0.10 g |
| Threonine | 0.19 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.47 g |
| Lysine | 0.24 g |
| Methionine | 0.12 g |
| Cystine | 0.15 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.20 g |
| Valine | 0.30 g |
| Arginine | 0.26 g |
| Histidine | 0.14 g |
| Alanine | 0.21 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.23 g |
| Proline | 0.76 g |
| Serine | 0.36 g |
FAQ
How does reduced-fat shortbread differ from regular shortbread?
Reduced-fat versions use less butter or replace some fat with ingredients like applesauce or modified starches, resulting in a less rich, sometimes slightly drier texture but with fewer calories and less total fat per serving.
Is reduced-fat shortbread a healthier choice?
It is lower in fat and calories than traditional shortbread, but it remains a treat high in refined carbohydrates and sugars. It's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can I use reduced-fat shortbread in baking recipes?
Yes, it can be crumbled as a base for cheesecakes or used as a topping for desserts. However, its lower fat content may affect the final texture, making it less rich than using full-fat shortbread.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.51 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 1.3 g fiber · 21.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 6.49 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.