It is not always feasible to calculate nutrition information for all of your recipes, but having information for some of your meals is better than having nothing at all. Calculating nutrition information for more standard recipes is a great place to start.
- Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Intake
- Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Information
- Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Facts
- Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Recommendation
We hope you find the following suggestions on how to calculate calorie and nutrient information in three scenarios helpful:
1). Single Ingredient Meals 2). Recipes and Mixed Dishes 3). Full Meals
1). Single Ingredient Meals 2). Recipes and Mixed Dishes 3). Full Meals
Knowing your nutritional needs is just the beginning. Learn why your body needs carbs, fat and protein, along with how to prepare a balanced meal. The 10 Nutrition Myths You Need to Stop Believing. The best reason to keep track of your daily calories is to get a better handle on what you are actually eating. Research has shown that many people underestimate their daily calorie consumption by as much as 25%. For a 1500 calorie diet, this can mean an extra 375 calories a day. Your calorie level into allotted calories for meals and snacks. Remember that consuming 5-6 smaller meals a day will increase your metabolism, balance blood sugar levels, and support a healthy body. The second table is broken down by calories and the 3 macronutrients: fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. These percentages of each will support.
Nutrient analysis software, nutrient analysis companies and laboratory analysis are also listed below. Screenflow 7 3 – create screen recordings youtube.
Click here for the MS Excel® spreadsheet tool that is mentioned for Calculating Calories for Recipes and Mixed Dishes.
The calorie and nutrient content of single ingredients and individual foods can usually be found in the USDA’s National Nutrient Database. In addition, most packaged foods list information in the Nutrition Facts panel. Follow the steps below to find nutrition information for a single food or ingredient:
1. Go to the USDA National Nutrient Database at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list.
2. Search and select food item of interest. Sometimes there are multiple options (e.g. chicken breast with and without skin; roasted, fried, etc.) so choose the option that is the best match for the food you are using.
3. Input the amount of food and click “apply changes.” Note that there are gram values for all provided unit measures, which is the same unit used on the Nutrition Facts label.
1. Go to the USDA National Nutrient Database at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list.
2. Search and select food item of interest. Sometimes there are multiple options (e.g. chicken breast with and without skin; roasted, fried, etc.) so choose the option that is the best match for the food you are using.
3. Input the amount of food and click “apply changes.” Note that there are gram values for all provided unit measures, which is the same unit used on the Nutrition Facts label.
For example, if you want to know the calorie content of 2 cups of a food item, adjust the numerical value in the column titled “cup” to 2.
Other unit conversions may sometimes be necessary if the unit of interest is not an available option. For example, if you want to know the calorie content of 8 oz of a food item but only the value for 100 grams is available, then you will need to adjust the numerical value in the column titled ‘value per 100 grams’ to 2.27.
1 oz = 28.4 grams
8 oz = 227 grams (8 x 28.4 grams)
227 grams/100 grams = 2.27 (so you would need 2.27 times the 100 gram value)
8 oz = 227 grams (8 x 28.4 grams)
227 grams/100 grams = 2.27 (so you would need 2.27 times the 100 gram value)
- A useful conversion tool is http://www.epicurious.com/tools/conversions/common.
- Calorie information is the second row and is titled “Energy.” Other nutrients commonly reported are in the rows immediately following: protein, total fat, carbohydrate and total dietary fiber. Sodium is in the section titled “Minerals” and saturated fat, unsaturated fat and cholesterol are located in the section titled “Lipids.”
Calories, nutrients and weights displayed for each food are for the edible portion of food (for example – without bones, etc.)
2). Calculating Calories for Recipes and Mixed Dishes:
A lot of the foods we eat have more than one ingredient. For example, a chicken breast is rarely prepared plain and may include some type of fat used during cooking, a sauce added afterward, or other ingredients. Multi-ingredient recipes can be calculated by entering data for each individual ingredient into an MS Excel® spreadsheet that has been set up for this purpose. The spreadsheet gives you the option to list how many servings the recipe makes and will calculate the calories and nutrients per serving. Follow the steps below to calculate the nutrition information for a multi-ingredient food or recipe.
- Type the names and amounts of each ingredient into the spreadsheet.
- Go to http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list. Determine calories and nutrients for each individual ingredient in the correct quantity as described above.
- Enter the data into the spreadsheet and it will add up values for the total recipe. When you enter the number of servings, the spreadsheet will determine calories and nutrients per serving.
3). Calculating Calories for Full Meals:
Typically a meal consists of several different foods, some of which may be recipes that contain multiple ingredients. An example would be a stir fry (recipe with multiple ingredients) with a side of rice (single ingredient). Calorie and nutrient values for meals can be calculated by entering the values for the individual ingredients and for the single serving portion of recipes into a downloadable MS Excel® spreadsheet that is set up for this purpose. Follow the steps below to calculate the nutrition information for a meal.
- Type the names of the ingredients and the recipes, along with the amounts of each into the spreadsheet. Alternately, recipes may be copied over from the Recipe Calculator above.
- Go to http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list and look up the calories and nutrients for each individual ingredient in the correct amount.
- Enter the information into the Meal Calculator spreadsheet including number of servings for each individual ingredient or recipe. The spreadsheet will then sum calories and nutrients giving you values for a single serving of the entire meal.
Notes
The USDA database does contain some ready calculated meals, however, we recommend you calculate the nutrient information for your dishes as described above, in order to obtain the most accurate composition for your own recipes.
The more precise you can be with the exact food, amount, and servings per recipe, the more accurate the calories and nutrient values will be. Also, be aware of often forgotten ingredients such as oil, butter, or broth used in cooking.
The methods described above assume that all of the fat used in cooking is consumed. For deep fried items, however, select the appropriate choice directly from the USDA database.
Resources
The following nutrition analysis resources are available for purchase and will do the work for you. This list is not exhaustive and not an endorsement of any products or companies.
Nutritional Analysis Software
Axxya Systems
ESHA – Genesis R&D SQL
ESHA – Food Processor SQL
FoodWorks
MenuCalc
Nutritional Analysis Software
Axxya Systems
ESHA – Genesis R&D SQL
ESHA – Food Processor SQL
FoodWorks
MenuCalc
Nutrition Analysis Companies (some may also perform laboratory analysis)
Brooker Laboratories
Compu-Food Analysis, Inc.
Energyent, Inc.
Food Consulting Company
Healthy Dining Finder
Kitchens with Confidence
NewWellness, Inc.
NutriData
NutritionResources
Nutritional Solutions
Brooker Laboratories
Compu-Food Analysis, Inc.
Energyent, Inc.
Food Consulting Company
Healthy Dining Finder
Kitchens with Confidence
NewWellness, Inc.
NutriData
NutritionResources
Nutritional Solutions
National Laboratory Analysis Companies (some may offer volume discounts. Call for pricing.)
Covance
Covance
California
Michelson Laboratories, Inc.
6280 Chalet Drive
Commerce, CA 90040
Michelson Laboratories, Inc.
6280 Chalet Drive
Commerce, CA 90040
![Calories v3 3 – record and analyze your daily nutrition intake Calories v3 3 – record and analyze your daily nutrition intake](https://blog.nutrium.io/content/images/2019/10/recipe-creation.png)
Michelson Laboratories of Northern California
1451 Moffat Blvd
Suite #1
Manteca, CA 95336
562-928-0553
888-941-5050
www.michelsonlab.com
1451 Moffat Blvd
Suite #1
Manteca, CA 95336
562-928-0553
888-941-5050
www.michelsonlab.com
Colorado
Industrial Laboratories Company, Inc.
4046 Youngfield Street
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
303-287-9691
www.industriallabs.net
Industrial Laboratories Company, Inc.
4046 Youngfield Street
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
303-287-9691
www.industriallabs.net
Warren Analytical Laboratory
650 “O” Street
Greeley, CO 80631
970-475-0252
800-945-6669
www.warrenlab.com
650 “O” Street
Greeley, CO 80631
970-475-0252
800-945-6669
www.warrenlab.com
Connecticut
Northeast Laboratories, Inc.
129 Mill Street, Suite 11
Berlin, CT 06037
800.654.1230
www.nelabsct.com
Northeast Laboratories, Inc.
129 Mill Street, Suite 11
Berlin, CT 06037
800.654.1230
www.nelabsct.com
Illinois
Silliker, Inc.
900 Maple Road
Homewood, IL 60430
708-957-7878
www.silliker.com
Silliker, Inc.
900 Maple Road
Homewood, IL 60430
708-957-7878
www.silliker.com
Iowa
Eurofins Scientific, Inc.
2200 Rittenhouse St, Suite 150
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-265-1461
http://www.eurofinsus.com
Eurofins Scientific, Inc.
2200 Rittenhouse St, Suite 150
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-265-1461
http://www.eurofinsus.com
Louisiana
Intertek Total Quality Assurance
160 James Drive East, Suite 200
Saint Rose, LA 70087
888-400-0084 or 281-971-5600
www.intertek-cb.com
Intertek Total Quality Assurance
160 James Drive East, Suite 200
Saint Rose, LA 70087
888-400-0084 or 281-971-5600
www.intertek-cb.com
Massachusetts
Krueger Food Laboratories, Inc
21 Alpha Road, Suite D
Chelmsford, MA 01824
978-256-1220
www.kfl.com
Krueger Food Laboratories, Inc
21 Alpha Road, Suite D
Chelmsford, MA 01824
978-256-1220
www.kfl.com
Minnesota
Medallion Labs
9000 Plymouth Ave North
Minneapolis, MN 55427
1-800-245-5615
www.medlabs.com
Medallion Labs
9000 Plymouth Ave North
Minneapolis, MN 55427
1-800-245-5615
www.medlabs.com
Nebraska
Midwest Laboratories
13611 B Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-334-7770
https://www.midwestlabs.com
Midwest Laboratories
13611 B Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-334-7770
https://www.midwestlabs.com
Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
143 Filley Hall
402-472-2832
http://fpc.unl.edu/
143 Filley Hall
402-472-2832
http://fpc.unl.edu/
New York
Certified Laboratories, Inc.
200 Express Street
Plainview, NY 11803
800-CERT-LAB or 516-576-1400
www.800certlab.com
Certified Laboratories, Inc.
200 Express Street
Plainview, NY 11803
800-CERT-LAB or 516-576-1400
www.800certlab.com
North Carolina
Craft Technologies, Inc.
4344 Frank Price Church Road
Wilson, NC 29893
252-206-7071
www.crafttechnologies.com
Craft Technologies, Inc.
4344 Frank Price Church Road
Wilson, NC 29893
252-206-7071
www.crafttechnologies.com
Oregon
Exova
12003 N.E. Antidote 9 3 download free. Ainsworth Circle Suite #105
Portland, OR 97220
503-253-9136
http://www.exova.ca
Exova
12003 N.E. Antidote 9 3 download free. Ainsworth Circle Suite #105
Portland, OR 97220
503-253-9136
http://www.exova.ca
Pennsylvania
Microbac
100 Marshall Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086
724-772-0610
www.microbac.com
*27 locations in the East and Midwest
Microbac
100 Marshall Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086
724-772-0610
www.microbac.com
*27 locations in the East and Midwest
QC Laboratories
1205 Industrial Blvd
Box 514
Southampton, PA 18966
800-289-8378 or 215-355-3900
www.qclaboratories.com
1205 Industrial Blvd
Box 514
Southampton, PA 18966
800-289-8378 or 215-355-3900
www.qclaboratories.com
Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Intake
Texas
Analytical Food Laboratories
860 Greenview Dr
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
800-242-6494
www.afltexas.com
Analytical Food Laboratories
860 Greenview Dr
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
800-242-6494
www.afltexas.com
Created by Dr. Susan B. Roberts and Dr. Lorien E. Urban, both of the Energy Metabolism Lab in collaboration with Dr. Cheryl H. Affinity photo beta 1 7 0 109. Gilhooly, of the Dietary Assessment Unit
Calorie Content
Thankfully as of 2015, pet food guidelines now include calorie statements, but with a grace period for all companies to change their labels by January 2017. This means complete and balanced pet foods (but not necessarily all treats) will have calories on the back of the package by weight (kilocalories per kilogram) and volume (kilocalories per cup or can). Unless you weigh your pet’s food, kilocalories per kilogram (or kcal, which is the same as 1 Calorie just like human foods) isn’t very helpful.
Knowing the kcal per cup, however, can be helpful in deciding how calorie-dense you want your pet’s food to be. If you want your pet to have more volume of food or you’re looking to slim your pet down, aim for pet foods that are around 300 kcal per cup or less. Similarly, look for dog food that is around or under 300 kcal per large (13 oz) can or cat food under 150 kcal per medium (6 oz) can.
In order to figure out how many kcals your pets needs per day, our blog on counting calories can help guide you with a calculator: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/02/how-much-should-i-feed-my-dog-or-cat/.
Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis on pet food labels cannot be used to compare pet foods as they’re written. For example, a food with 21% minimum protein on a guaranteed analysis means that for every 100 lbs of pet food, at least 21 lbs will be protein. That’s not helpful if you have foods with different calorie content, moisture content (think can vs dry), or fiber content. Also, remember these numbers are in maximum or minimum values, so there could be more than 21% protein, that’s just the guaranteed minimum based on the label guidelines.
The good news, though, is if a food is complete and balanced with an AAFCO Statement and made by a company that meets quality control criteria (see more on this here: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/important-information-you-could-be-misreading-on-the-pet-food-label/), your food has all the necessary nutrients your pet needs in the right proportions. If you still want to compare protein or fat between foods, here are the math steps to take.
- Select a nutrient you want to compare and find the guaranteed analysis percentage (common nutrients to compare include protein, fat, and fiber):
Diet A: Adult Dry Dog Food
Protein (Min): 25.0%
Diet B: Adult Canned Dog Food
Protein (Min): 8.0%
- Find the calorie density (kilocalories per kilogram) on the label:
Diet A: Adult Dry Dog Food
3,606 kcal/kg
Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Information
Diet B: Adult Canned Dog Food
1,198 kcal/kg
- Do a quick calculation (divide percentage by calorie density then multiply by 1,000):
Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Facts
Diet A: Adult Dry Dog Food
25.0% Protein / 3,606 kcal/kg x 1,000: 6.9 grams of protein per 100 kcal
Diet B: Adult Canned Dog Food
8.0% Protein / 1,198 kcal/kg x 1,000: 6.7 grams of protein per 100 kcal
Voila! Now you can compare these two diets on the same scale.
Update August 2017: We now have a calculator that will do the math for you. Check it out!
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Calories V3 3 – Record And Analyze Your Daily Nutrition Recommendation
The Scoop on Storing Pet Food
October 26, 2020