On Food Labels, Calorie Miscounts

[marle35]

By Philip J. Hilts

The method most commonly used to assess the number of calories in foods is flawed, overestimating the energy provided to the body by proteins, nuts and foods high in fiber by as much as 25 percent, some nutrition experts say.

“The amount of calories a person gets from protein and fiber are overstated,” said Geoffrey Livesey, the head of Independent Nutrition Logic, a nutrition consulting company in Britain, and a nutrition consultant to the United Nations. “This is especially misleading for those on a high-protein, high-fiber diet, or for diabetics” who must limit their intake of carbohydrates.

An adult aiming to take in 2,000 calories a day on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may actually be consuming several hundred calories less, he and other experts said. Calorie estimates for junk foods, particularly processed carbohydrates, are more accurate.

More: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/on-food-labels-calorie-miscounts/

[jwirr]

1. I don't count calories - I count carbs.

[marle35]

3. What works for you is what matters

is my rule.

I tried low carb before, and was successful, but I found it difficult to stay on.

Calories matter, but not all calories are equal. They don't all get metabolized the same way.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. good to know