According to The Mayo Clinic, calories determine the amount of energy you get from ingesting food. This information should be clearly visible on food labels. If you are eating unlabeled food, consider using an online calorie calculator or asking for the advice of a dietitian to determine caloric content. If you are attempting to lose weight, calories should be carefully monitored. Eating an excess of calories can result in weight gain.
Determine the Calories in Food
Step 1
Look at the label. The Food and Drug Administration requires standardized food labels on most of the items you purchase at the grocery store. The number of calories should be clearly visible on these labels.
Step 2
Compare the number of calories to the serving size. The calories are listed per serving, and there may be more than one serving in the food item that you are purchasing. For example, if a cup of pasta equals a serving, and a serving contains 200 calories, then a box of pasta that contains 3 cups registers at 600 calories total. The FDA states that the serving size should be provided in familiar units like cups or grams.
Step 3
Find a calorie calculator online (see Resources). Items like fruits and vegetables may not be prominently labeled, so an online calculator will help you determine the calories per serving in these foods. Make a list of foods you are unsure about, and look them up on a calorie calculator site.
Step 4
Talk to a dietitian. These registered professionals can help you determine the amount of calories in the foods that you ingest. If you are looking to limit your caloric intake, they can help you come up with a diet plan that meets your calorie intake goals.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep a log of your caloric intake. Since this information is readily available, it should be easy to write down what you ingest and how many calories it contains. Use this information to cut back on excesses and maintain a healthy weight.
- Monitor your portion size. With many foods, it is easy to have more than one serving without realizing it. Monitor exactly how many servings you eat to get an accurate count of your caloric intake.
Things You'll Need
- Knowledge of food labels
- An online calorie counter
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