New to MFP - Why are there differences in the food database?

can111
can111 Posts: 63 Member
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
I am into day 5 of logging my food. I am LOVING this tool, it is really exactly what I was looking for. I use it on my phone mostly and think the barcode scanner is the cats meow!

My question: why are there so many entries in the food database for the same food but with different calorie and nutrition info? Where did MFP get the database? Does anyone police the database to remove incorrect or redundant entries?

Example: I searched for grapes today. I found multiple entries that I could pick from
1. Grapes, seedless, 1 cup, 110 calories
2. grapes - raw - 1 cup - 61 calories
3. grapes - green - 1 cup - 50 calories
4, grapes, red or green - 1 cup - 110 calories

Replies

  • mkingraham
    mkingraham Posts: 445 Member
    One of the major projects is cleaning up the database- however anyone can add or edit an entry. If I were you, I would pick the 110 calorie one just to be safe. When it comes to anything with nutritional info on the package, like the greek yogurt I have every morning, I make sure the one I pick matches that and then use it.
  • lawtechie
    lawtechie Posts: 708 Member
    One thought is that foods are different. Your example, grapes. There are MANY variety of grapes and some w/ different sugar content. That can affect calories.
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    hint....

    i try to use the database raw food entries that do NOT have the asterisk beside them

    the asterisk (*) denotes a food entered by an mfp member, whereas foods with no asterisk were placed there by the mfp creators, and i tend to trust their numbers personally *S*

    note re your example of grapes:
    anything that varies in size (like grapes) i prefer to measure by weight, it is a FAR more accurate reading.
  • mjhuff1121
    mjhuff1121 Posts: 112
    The members can create and edit food in the database. I assume that the discrepancies are caused by someone looking for something they need, don't find it for whatever the reason - spelled wrong, not enough name info, etc - so they just add it in themselves. Or they find one that is incorrect, so instead of editing the incorrect one, they just make a new entry.

    Just my thoughts. :smile: Doesn't mean they're right.
  • mellymclaughlin
    mellymclaughlin Posts: 29
    I absolutely can't stand measurements that are in "cups". It drives me insane! One man's cup is another man's trough. Grams forever and ever.
  • jamie78
    jamie78 Posts: 514 Member
    Grapes basic info serving size 17 grapes= 60 calories
This discussion has been closed.

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