ROOKIE MISTAKE - DRY vs COOKED Calories??

pinkcoconutz
pinkcoconutz Posts: 24
in Food and Nutrition
ROOKIE MISTAKE - DRY vs COOKED Calories??

I cooked about 1/2 of a pkg (approx. 1 1/4 Cup DRY) of "Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend" (couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, & red quinoa) in water.

After it was cooked, I measured out 1/2 Cup (cooked) and ate it. Then, I realized the calories were dry vs cooked.

Pkg info: Serving Size 1/2 Cup (45g) dry. Servings Per Container about 10. Net wt 16 oz (1 lb) 454g.

How do I figure out approximately how many calories 1/2 Cup COOKED is? There are a few different entries for this food, but I'm not sure if they're right.

Also, any tips/tricks regarding measuring dry/cooked pasta/rice calories. Thanks!

Replies

  • claritarejoice
    claritarejoice Posts: 461 Member
    This is a great question and I have the same one. Labels bother me so much - sometimes they just say "serving size 1/2 cup" - I have no idea if that's before or after cooked, or how much a half cup uncooked makes cooked - some foods expand and some shrink! Rice expands and shrimp shrinks! But by how much shrimp shrinks I don't know, arg. Other labels say something like "serving size 162 grams" - whaa? I don't really want to buy a food scale to figure out how much this is, frustrating.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Most things are measured as they come in the package. A food scale is really your friend because most people are hopeless and being able to eyeball quantity. You can get a decent food scale for $20 or less that will really help you to be accurate.

    Rice for instance, I measure it dry for 2 servings then just eyeball half the pan for my dinner. Meat is one that people get confused on. Meat is measured raw unless otherwise stated. Not being accurate can put you off by hundreds of calories a day and it's usually not in your favor.
  • OspreyVista
    OspreyVista Posts: 464 Member
    Most things are measured as they come in the package. A food scale is really your friend because most people are hopeless and being able to eyeball quantity. You can get a decent food scale for $20 or less that will really help you to be accurate.

    Rice for instance, I measure it dry for 2 servings then just eyeball half the pan for my dinner. Meat is one that people get confused on. Meat is measured raw unless otherwise stated. Not being accurate can put you off by hundreds of calories a day and it's usually not in your favor.

    Agreed. I bought the biggest loser brand? scale at Bed Bath and Beyond for $20. It's super helpful, and I love it. So glad I got it, and can't believe by how much I would be way off otherwise.

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