Calculating calories

domenic17

Hi
Downloaded this app yesterday and started tracking my food intake.
Calories = 496, carbs 45, Fat 32, Protein 26.
According to my calcs that is 45*4 + 32*9 + 26*4 =572 calories.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why there is a difference.
Thanks Dom

TavistockToad

Not all the stuff in the food database is actually correct.

NaurielR

Did you take into account the fiber? Fiber is counted as a carb, but since the body can't digest it, it doesn't actually contain calories (technically it does, our body just can't access it). "Net carbs" is the total carbs minus fiber, which is the total amount of calories your body gets from carbs.

I did some math to see if it's possible that calorie discrepancy is because of fiber. 572-496= a 76 calorie discrepancy. Divide that by 4 to figure out the number of grams and you get 19. Depending on the foods you're calculating the calories of, it could very well have 19 grams of fiber, which may be why the calorie count is off

That being said, TavistockToad is also correct. A lot of entries are created by users, so mistakes are inevitable.

domenic17

Hi tavistock
I can understand that, but it did confuse me, because even if the databases are wrong surely calculating the calories on what is the stated grams should be roughly in the ball park.
Dom