Re: Calories as Labelled

[Guest guest]

Try subtracting the fiber grams from the equation. Sometimes when I

do that, I get the correct total. It worked today for a serving of

sprouts that had 100 calories: 8g protein, 0.5g fat, 20g total carb

but 4g of that as fiber.

Also, I think they can lawfully round down fat grams if less than

0.5g. But they still might be putting the correct total calories. So

that could throw you off by as much as 4.5 calories per serving.

Does anyone know whether fiber has usable calories? If labelers are

subtracting fiber from total carbs in calculating calories, is this

correct? Maybe the FDA has the answers. I searched all over their

website to see whether manufacturers may subtract fiber grams from

the calorie calculation, but couldn't find anything. I may give them

a call.

>

> I've been told (you too probably), that each gram of fat is 9

> calories and each carb or protein accounts for 4 calories. But,

> whenever I do the math on the health bar, or the ice cream, or

> pretty much anything it never adds up to what the total calories

are

> stated as. What's the deal?

>

> What is the " real " formula to all of this?

[Guest guest]

With a burning curiosity, I called the FDA and talked to someone in

the Division of Nutrition Programs and Food Labeling. He confirmed

that yes, indeed, insoluble fiber can be subtracted from the calorie

count. Also, the calories are supposed to be calculated before any

rounding, such as the rounding down of fat grams. So, that's why the

total calories and the macronutrient grams don't add up.

Food labeling Q & A's can be viewed at the FDA's website page:

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/qa2.html

And the relevant rules are at 21 CFR Part 101 Section 9, if you want

something to help you sleep at night.

> >

> > I've been told (you too probably), that each gram of fat is 9

> > calories and each carb or protein accounts for 4 calories. But,

> > whenever I do the math on the health bar, or the ice cream, or

> > pretty much anything it never adds up to what the total calories

> are

> > stated as. What's the deal?

> >

> > What is the " real " formula to all of this?