Nutritional Information ???

[Nanci]

I have 2 computer programs DietLog for my Palm and MasterCook for my PC. I received 2 very different calorie counts for honeydew melons MC had 37 calories for 8 ounces and DietLog had over 200 for 8 ounces. I thought by using the weight, I would eliminate some of the guess work. I checked with a friend who said that in general melons have 10 calories/ounce -- so neither would be right.

Any ideas on where I check to get accurate information? Isn't there a USRDA website somewhere?

Thanks

Nanci

[Ohioan]

Nanci, try the Nutrition Analysis Tool at http://www.nat.uiuc.edu/

I believe their figures are considered pretty accurate. In fact, since I've been pigging out on melon for the past few weeks, I think I'll mosey on over to the site myself after I leave here, to see how piggy I've really been. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif


Later: Okay, I just got back, and (1)their figures are taken from the USDA handbook, and (2)8 ounces of honeydew checks in at 79 calories.
Cheers, Phoebe

[This message has been edited by Ohioan (edited 09-05-2000).]

[acorreia]

Nanci,

You can get nutritional info on any food at the usda database:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/index.html

I used this database to create this master spreadsheet which I use to track fat grams, calories, protein, and carbs of everything I eat. Email me if you would like a copy.

-Angela

[Nanci]

Thank you both. I now have another source to check. I will have to look into the source of MC's nutritional data and the best way to enter it.

[Ohioan]

Nanci, it suddenly occurs to me to ask how you got the MC calorie count. Was it in a recipe that had more than one serving? Or was it in the ingredient list from the Tools menu? If you were checking an ingredient in a recipe, MC divides the calories of the listed quantity by the number of servings. So if you have 8 oz as the ingredient quantity for the whole recipe but the recipe serves two, the calories in the nutrition list are calculated for 4 oz, not 8 oz.

Well, you probably know this, right? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif It just struck me as interesting that the MC calories were about half the NAS ones, so I thought the key might be the number of servings.

Phoebe

[Nanci]

It wasn't the servings in a recipe, but . . . it was the type of melon I selected. Melon wedges have the correct calories in MC -- i.e., my 8 oz. has 80 cals or 10/oz. I wasn't able to connect to the URL for the usda.

Thanks sometimes you just have to try a few things to get it right.