"0 calorie foods"

JacksMom12

It has come to my attention that the FDA allows anything with less than 5 calories per serving to be labeled as calorie free, or zero calories. Not a big deal for most things. For example, walden farms zero calorie dressings have actually 3-4 calories a serving, although it says "0" on the nutrition label. So in fact, the entire bottle actually contains 32 odd calories. Not a huge deal. Most things would not add up too high, like say, coffee which rather than "0" actually has about 2 per serving. Still, not a big deal.... Even 10 cups wouldn't break the calorie bank. Here's my point though... It's still something to be mindful of, because nothing except water truly contains zero calories. My mother, a perpetual dieter, has tried every diet out there and succeeded at none. Anyways, I digress.... I was watching her very liberally apply "I can't believe it's not butter" spray to her diet popcorn-a nightly occurance for her. To the tune of, say, 40 sprays or more. Well 5 sprays contains "0" calories but the entire bottle in fact contains over 900 calories and 99 grams of fat. She goes through those bottles left and right, counting each usage as "nothing". She was shocked when I told her this. Sneaky FDA! Just thought I'd share, I thought it's a good tip for newbies.

JacksMom12

Sorry for grammar and run-ons.... I did this on my iphone's tiny little browser (broken laptop)

Smudjie

This is a great reminder that nothing besides water has no calories thanks so much!

tatertotfishstick

thanks for reminding me! Sometimes I don't pay attention... you are so right!

Lindacharp

Thank you I never thought of using that on popcorn. But not 40 sprays but maybe a few. I eat it as is right now. Sometimes a sprinkle of popcorn sour cream in the shaker.

JacksMom12

Yeah, most things don't make a big difference, but I've literally seen people open the bottles of that butter spray and pour it on thief food, thinking "hey, its zero calories!"

honeys7

Great information - thank you for sharing.

dollymixsix

I wasn't even aware any food was classed at 0 calories. I don't think I've ever seen that here in the UK.

reddi2roll

Yup. Even a few Tic Tacs can add up. Shocked to find that out.

rkwilliams1221

GREAT information!!! THANKS!!!

mreko2005

I never knew that, Jacksmom12, I always assumed that if it said 0 calories then, that's what it contained. Thanks for the heads-up.

Fit_Canuck

Yes your FDA is a pretty messed up organization. Aren't they the same ones that labelled Pizza as a "vegetable" in Schools??

SergeantSunshine_reused

Yeah, most things don't make a big difference, but I've literally seen people open the bottles of that butter spray and pour it on thief food, thinking "hey, its zero calories!"

Ewwie! Haha it takes me a few months to go through one of those xD

cmeade20

*sigh* Does this mean I have to cut back on the pickles?

Noadi

There are a few foods other than water that contain no calories, salt for example, but the list is very very short. Basically if it started out as a living thing in some form then it has calories.

MissFit0101

It's always nice to see these posts. Good looking out

gp79

Think, "Granulated Splenda", which also falls into this category. 1 tsp may be considered negligible, but when you are adding it by the cup, to a recipe, there are carbs and calories which if counted as Zero, could greatly effect your results.

amoeba15

Yes your FDA is a pretty messed up organization. Aren't they the same ones that labelled Pizza as a "vegetable" in Schools??

No, that's the USDA.

Fit_Canuck

Yes your FDA is a pretty messed up organization. Aren't they the same ones that labelled Pizza as a "vegetable" in Schools??

No, that's the USDA.

Oh yes sorry I get those mixed up sometimes. That's the US Dep of Agri and the Food/Drug Agency. I'm starting to get my US departments in line

alexsmith01

I dont think that happens here in NZ - I've never seen something labelled as 0 calories, and things that are less than 5 calories still have their nutritional information. Must be pretty confusing over there in the US!

kstep88

I found this out a while ago.. bumping so others can get to read it! GREAT INFO

mad4beinhere

Same here in Oz as it is in NZ, every thing is labelled or shows < 1 or < 2, i dont have butter or Margerine, fullstop. Dont have sugar etc so im safe.
Thanks for sharing..... :-)

wolfchild59

*sigh* Does this mean I have to cut back on the pickles?

Yup. I've noticed that pickles are one of those the manufacturers put sort of odd serving sizes on the packages. I've seen a lot that have a serving size as 3/4 of a spear so that it comes in under five calories so it can then say zero calories. But, on average, one normal spear has five calories and one full dill pickle has about 20 calories.

Although, the sodium is another good reason to cut back on pickles. Each spear is about 200mg of sodium, so it can add up quickly.


And, as someone pointed out, 1 tsp of Splenda or other no calorie sweetener, sure that 4 calories is negligable. Now substitute a cup of Splenda for a cup of sugar in a recipe, and most people won't add any calories for that cup of Splenda to the recipe. But it's really 192 calories.