Nutritional data - who to belive?

On Apr 8, 2:07*pm, "Hilly" wrote:
"Marengo" wrote in message

...

On Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:55:13 -0500, "Hilly"
wrote:

Who do you belive when the label on the package, FitDay, and the USDA
website all say different things?

I record everything I eat into FitDay. *I always use the "custom food"
feature to enter the label data on a commercial product. *What
commercial food product are you finding that is already in FitDay and
on the USDA site with nutritional values different from the food
label? *I've never heard of this before.
---
Peter
270/220/180

I've found several instances over the past couple years where the data
differs
between package labels, FitDay, and USDA site. Can't remember right off what
all of them are, but I know there are some.

You would think that the values listed on the package of frozen veggies
would
be identical to the USDA site. Perhaps they are if you measure in grams or
cups in most instances. FitDay does have some discrepancies though. If I run
across any more, I'll let you know, Peter.

Birdseye frozen brussels sprouts that steam in the bag. The only ingredient
on the label is "brussels sprouts". It lists the carb
count as 10 grams for 10 sprouts and 5 grams fiber. FitDay lists it as 17
grams carb and 7 grams fiber for 10 sprouts. The USDA website doesn't
list in number of sprouts, but in grams or cups



I don't have the label from an actual package, but I found the label
info that Birdseye shows on their website for the Steamfresh brussel
sprouts.


http://www.birdseyefoods.com/birdsey...umProducts.asp

On that label, they show a serving size of 10 sprouts (83g) and list
it as 8g of carb, 3g of fiber. That's a net of 5g. If we use what
you say is on the label of your package, we still get a net of 5g.

On the USDA database, for cooked brussel sprouts of 83g, they list
carbs at 6, fiber 2. And for cooked previously frozen, they list 7
carbs, 3 fiber. Both of those are a net of 4g.

I don't have access to Fitday, have never used it and don't know
exactly what they have listed on there, ie fresh, frozen, cooked, etc.

But clearly the USDA and Birdseye are within 1g net carb for an 83g
serving, which is more than sufficient accuracy for practical
purposes. Whenever possible you want to use weight as the measure.
Next best is volume. When you use units like individual sprouts, or
medium size tomato, that's when you get the least accuracy.

"Hilly" writes:

Who do you belive when the label on the package, FitDay, and the USDA
website all say different things?

I'd go with the label, but keep in mind that the USDA only requires
labels to be accurate within 20%. If something is so close to your carb
limit that 20% extra would put you over, it might be better to put it
back on the shelf and pick up a couple steaks and a head of broccoli
instead.



--
Aaron -- 285/253/200 -- aaron.baugher.biz