Scan or label?

achagpar
achagpar Posts: 493 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Do you go with the scanned stats or what’s written on the label? Eg: there are some dark chocolate peanut protein bars I bought at Aldi — the label says 170 calories; scan it, and it says 180. I bought a cranberry walnut salad — the label says 180 calories; scan it and it says 210! The same has happened with Lean Cuisines... I know it’s “only” a difference of 10-30 calories but I’m trying to be as accurate as I can be and these days every calorie counts. For now, I’ve been going with the scan figuring it’s better to overestimate than underestimate... anybody else notice a difference? Which is accurate?

Replies

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    Mostly just scan it here.

    Small differences don't matter - I'm not a subscriber to the every calorie matters theory.

    Overall averaging around the mark is good enough IMO.
  • Teabythesea_
    Teabythesea_ Posts: 559 Member
    Go with the package. Entries are user created and they could be outdated or just flat out wrong. Sometimes I'll scan something and get an entirely different food.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited June 2019
    Label. Too many chances for the scan to get wrong info.

    ETA: if you are eating pre-packaged meals like Lean Cuisine, make sure you weigh it also. The actual food weight can be as much as 20% higher than the package weight.
  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    I'd go with label too. Sometimes manufacturers update their label with formula changes, but the scan entry in MFP isn't updated yet.
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    scan and find the entry that matches label. i guess if i didn't find one i'd create one but haven't had to do that. Then use weight (on scale) vs measuring cups or numbers of items.
  • achagpar
    achagpar Posts: 493 Member
    Thanks so much all!
  • trobius
    trobius Posts: 6 Member
    Package. I think MFP lets the first entry connected to a barcode be "the" barcode info for eternity. It annoys me because many people only enter the nutrients they track when they do that. And yes, I see lots of errors too. And on the other hand manufacturers are legally liable for what goes on their packages.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    Label. MFP' database is user maintained, so the chances of it being incorrect are pretty good.

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