Liquid Packed Foods

LookingforWhatsHerName
LookingforWhatsHerName Posts: 37 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've been wondering, do calorie counts listed on liquid packed foods (i.e. pickles, sauerkraut, canned veggies, beans) include the liquid as part of the serving? That is to say, does Green Giant calculate the calories by including the weight of the water in the green beans can? I mostly weigh foods sans liquid and record calories according to the package, with the exception of beans (I tend to overestimate calories for those for fear that the calorie count includes the liquor). It has been inconsequential to me, either way, but still I wonder...Does anyone know the answer to this?

Replies

  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    I don't eat canned vegetables, but they don't say "drained" on the nutrition label?

    I assume they only meant to count the part that you actually eat.
  • eugenia94102
    eugenia94102 Posts: 126 Member
    That will depend on the country you are in. In the USA, as a rule of thumb: if the quantity is expressed in volume it is or it includes the liquid, if the quantity is expressed in weight it does not. USDA labeling requirements do not allow a manufacturer to use one measurement of quantity for the whole package and a different one on the nutritional label.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Do you drink the juice or just eat the pickles?
  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    I have wondered the same thing. I have using canned beans drained quite a bit the last couple weeks and mostly weighing them drained, but I was going to post this question today. The nutrition label does not specify drained or undrained.

    What I have not done but should is compare the serving size times the number of servings on the nutrition label to the product weight listed on the can. If the weight of the servings on the nutrition label is less than the product weight listed on the front of the can, then I would assume the nutrition information is without the liquid.
  • AigreDoux
    AigreDoux Posts: 594 Member
    Unfortunately, I think it counts the liquid.
    Ex: I had a can of Goya canned chick peas. It lists a serving as 1/2 cup (122g). There are 3.5 servings
    I drained the beans and measured out 122 grams. It looked like a lot of beans and I was psyched.
    So 122 grams x3.5 servings is 427 g = ~15 ounces. Which is the weight of the whole can including liquid.
    I don't know the best way to measure them, and not sure how to log the 40 grams i put on my salad for lunch today :(

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