How do i calculate calories?

Random

More and more things these days have calorie markings on them which is dead handy.

Others don't though. How do i read all the other information at a glance to work out rough amount of calories?

Thanks

Khannie

There's nearly always a "per 100g" calorie amount on a food package. Usually the entire package is a multiple of this in some way. You just need to get the mental calculator out.

If there's no nutritional information at all on a package I'll generally avoid it (unless it's fruit or veg or whatever) or just google "banana calories" for example.

rubadub

Khannie wrote: »

If there's no nutritional information at all on a package I'll generally avoid it (unless it's fruit or veg or whatever) or just google "banana calories" for example.

In tescos nearly all tesco branded stuff has nutiritional info, fresh fruit in bags often does, as does even beer & spirits. Bear in mind you do not often eat the whole thing, like fruit peels or cores.

Random wrote: »

Others don't though.

Any examples? As said above you can check online, I have a good memory for calories in many things, many are around about the same, e.g. breads. It is useful to have a fundamental basic understanding of things so you can figure them out. e.g. that flour has ~350kcal per 100g, a poster was asking a while ago if his pasta values were for cooked or dry pasta. If you know the basics, then things like this are obvious.

Random

Khannie wrote: »

There's nearly always a "per 100g" calorie amount on a food package. Usually the entire package is a multiple of this in some way. You just need to get the mental calculator out.

If there's no nutritional information at all on a package I'll generally avoid it (unless it's fruit or veg or whatever) or just google "banana calories" for example.

I'm talking about packages that have no calories guidelines at all.. I'm happy enough with "x cals per xx" but some just don't have that.

Have I misunderstood you? There's very often nutritional information but no mention of calories on a package.

Google is an option but if I'm out and about I'd like some sort of rough guide to work off you know?

rubadub wrote: »

In tescos nearly all tesco branded stuff has nutiritional info, fresh fruit in bags often does, as does even beer & spirits. Bear in mind you do not often eat the whole thing, like fruit peels or cores.


Any examples? As said above you can check online, I have a good memory for calories in many things, many are around about the same, e.g. breads. It is useful to have a fundamental basic understanding of things so you can figure them out. e.g. that flour has ~350kcal per 100g, a poster was asking a while ago if his pasta values were for cooked or dry pasta. If you know the basics, then things like this are obvious.

Perhaps I need to read up a lot more on the basics.

Thanks

rubadub

Random wrote: »

Have I misunderstood you? There's very often nutritional information but no mention of calories on a package.

What sort of foods are you talking about, this is why I was asking for examples, I understand somethings like fresh fruit would not have info, but I cannot think of anything off hand that I have seen nutritional info, and not seen kcal mentioned, i.e. by nutritional info I mean a break down like
fat 20g
carbs 10g
of which sugar 5g
protein 10g
fibre 5g

If you have the above info you can calculate the kcal in theory but its a fair bit of maths to be doing.

You might see things like ham in a deli with no info, then you could go search for similar looking package hams, like premium shaws or denny and it will have info. Similarly with fruit you can check packs. Or maybe you are going to lidl or aldi? I am not too familiar with their stuff.

Random wrote: »

Perhaps I need to read up a lot more on the basics.

I honestly can't think of anything I could not find info on just around a supermarket, if there are a few foods you need to know you will hopefully remember them. I have a good memory for them and can estimate meals when out etc. It is handy to know just what is a low calorie PORTION, and portion control is key, knowing or estimating weights is essential in calorie counting. Many foods (like cereals) quote very low portions so as to appear low in calories, but in reality most people eat a lot more, this goes for many things, most pizzas quote 1/2 or 1/3 pizza values, knowing full well most people scoff a whole one!

Mellor

Random wrote: »

Have I misunderstood you? There's very often nutritional information but no mention of calories on a package.

Are you sure, I can't really think of any product that lists nutritional data but leaves out cals/joules
It's would be the last to be left out imo

Getwellsoon

Some food doesn't, especially things in the Asian Market, and even in Lidl sometimes! Foreign food usually. I think it's a standard to mark it on all Irish/UK/American products but maybe it isn't elsewhere.

Just google it and you will find out how much. Unfortunately that involves getting access to a computer before purchasing/eating the product, which doesn't help much...