Understanding Labels

onehecticmom

I know I should avoid pre packaged foods, however sometimes it's what's quick & easy. With 3 kids, dance, & my business, sometimes easy wins. So we are having Hamburger Helper for dinner. The label lists calories for Dry and for Prepared. So, does that mean that the calorie count as prepared included the calories for the hamburger meat? Or no? Want to make sure I count correctly. Don't want to low ball it & go over on calories, and also don't want to miss any calories I could have eaten by counting too high. When you are on a 1200 calorie limit, every calorie counts

I would assume it would include all ingredients they instruct me to add, but then they don't know what type of milk or meat I am using. The box just says milk & lean ground beef. But what if I use skim or 2%... or 97% GB vs 80/20.

Does anyone know the correct way to figue this out?

jrueckert

When I've made it in the past, I just used the dry numbers and then added the milk and meat that I used.

heathermrls

i would assume it is included, but it would not be 100% accurate. i suppose you could do it as dry and add everything else separately. could even make a recipe for it.

onehecticmom

When I've made it in the past, I just used the dry numbers and then added the milk and meat that I used.

I thought about that, but then how do you measure out a serving once cooked. This is why counting calories is hard.

SueInAz

The serving size would still be the same (milk is the same by volume whether skim or whole), the only difference is that you'll know exactly how much fat and calories are being added by your choice of meat and milk.

Countrymade

I would say prepared means it is with all the ingredients listed to make it for eating.
I think that is why they give you dry too.