Is my math really bad or are the nutrition labels wrong? - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

mquest · 08-31-2005, 05:36 PM

I thought I knew how to read nutrition labels but twice recently I found a ones that just don't make sense.
Each gram of fat is 9 calories
Each gram of carb is 4 calories
Each gram of protein is also 4 calories, is this correct?

I have one label that says 19 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat (all per serving). If I do the math, the total calories should be 135 but the label says 80 calories per serving.

Another says 0 fat, 22 carbs, 7 protein, total should be 116 calories, but the label says 60 calories, again all per serving.

Does anyone know where my math is wrong?

Thanks

sorrel2 · 08-31-2005, 06:27 PM

What exactly are these items? If something is very high in fiber, the amount of fiber may be included in the carbohydrates listing (since fiber is a carbohydrate) but not included in the total calories, because it is not calorically available to the body.

bluehen94 · 08-31-2005, 06:28 PM

Check out how many fiber grams it has, multiply that by 4 and then subtract that from the calories you are calculating. Some companies do not count the fiber carbs as part of the calories because they don't effect the blood sugar.

jade112 · 09-01-2005, 11:42 AM

This also confuses me about labels ...... When a label says *Adds a trace amount of fat, what does that really mean?? Like on fat free mayo, fat free cream cheese or like spray butters and stuff........... Do they all really have fat in them if you eat more than the specified serving? I know its no big deal but I just think its weird

thanks
Jade

mquest · 09-02-2005, 03:49 AM

Thanks guys, adjusting for the fiber makes the formulas make sense. I had no idea fiber had no calories. I thought anything categorized as a carbohydrate, fat or protein had calories.

I don't have any feedback as to the "trace amount of fat" question. I do watch my fat intake a little, but not that closely.