View Full Version : Doin the numbers


daveo
Fri, January 23rd, 2004, 10:43 AM
Alright, I'm confused. Can somebody in the audience help me out?

I'm looking at the nutritional info on the back of a box and find the following numbers:

Calories = 180
Fat = 3g
Sat Fat = 0.5g
Sodium = 270mg
Carbohydrates = 3g
Fiber = 2g
Sugars = 0g
Protein = 10g


So if I do the math as I know how, I get the following:

Fat * 9 + Carbs * 4 + Protein *4 = 3*9 + 3*4 + 10*4 = 79 calories

So there are some "hidden" calories I'm not taking into account. Am I doing something horribly wrong, or stressing the details too much? With respect to the 20/40/40 (fat/carb/protein) balance, should those percentages be based on the total number of calories (180) or the total number of calories from fat+carb+protein (79)? I do realize that 20/40/40 should apply to overall diet instead of a single item, but the math should be the same -- right?

All help is appreciated!

Olag00
Fri, January 23rd, 2004, 10:57 AM
I have noticed this also...but never by 100 calories, usually only 4 or so....what is it that you are looking at?

CuttinKing2183
Fri, January 23rd, 2004, 11:05 AM
Just a hunch that the item encorporates SUGAR ALCOHOLS and sometimes they are not under carbohydrates.....

Please list the ingredients...

haven97
Fri, January 23rd, 2004, 11:21 AM
I did the same thing and my numbers are off as well.

Sunflower Kernels
Calories 160
Fat 14g
Sat Fat 1.5
Sodium 150mg
Carb 5
Fiber 3
Sugars 0
Protein 7

14*9 + 4*5 + 7*4
126 + 20 + 28 = 174 but it says 160 ?

daveo
Fri, January 23rd, 2004, 11:32 AM
Just a hunch that the item encorporates SUGAR ALCOHOLS and sometimes they are not under carbohydrates.....

Please list the ingredients...

These are Morningstar Farms Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties. Just the word 'veggie' should flag "long ingredient list!" in your mind :)

If I could attach pictures, I would since that's how the nutritional information and ingredients are presented. If you go here (http://kelloggs.com/cgi-bin/brandpages/product.pl?product=355&company=23) [kelloggs.com] and click on the Nutrititional Info link you can see all the ingredients.