Nutrition label inaccuracies - question about counting

Skicarmach
Skicarmach Posts: 8 Member
I followed some links from mfp, and the consensus seems to be that nutrition data on labels have a margin of error of up to 20% -- mostly erring on the side of listing too few calories. Should I be adding 20% to my calories when I enter them? A 20% difference in the wrong direction could erase my 10% deficit. I don't have a lot to lose, but I do want to lose it.

Replies

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I've never seen that much allowance for nutritional info per serving, I've seen 5% allowed by the government, which may vary on which one.

    Now, the amount of product in the package, that could vary as manufacturer wants to err on the safe side of not getting caught shorting the consumer.

    But you should never assume the "servings per package" value is correct anyway - always weigh. About 2 servings per package, even when the package is really say 16 oz, could be 2.3 to 2.8 I've seen.
    Add to that the fact the package may weigh more, no you may have a real 3 servings per package - and if you never weigh anything but trusted the label - you are in trouble.
  • Skicarmach
    Skicarmach Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks! Very reassuring. I weigh everything and I was really more concerned about non-packaged items that I use for cooking. One of the reasons I like this group is that things are so much less extreme and more reassuring - things on the general board can be alarming. I can usually weed through it, but this one got to me. : )