| I have stated elsewhere that statistics show, over a long period of time, that my kcal intake has averaged 106 kcal per 100 grams. Please keep this in mind now.
This concerns products like gravy granules. First a positive comment. The brand I considered for this example actually includes kcal per 100g data for the product as-sold (just the granules). More products could do that and you immediately have the information needed for your CONSUMPTION spreadsheet. In this case a hefty 397 kcal per 100g.
The food label suggests that a portion as-prepared is only 13 kcal. Given other information supplied I can say that claim is perfectly accurate, as confirmed by the COMBO spreadsheet.
But what is a portion as-prepared ? In this case the manufacturer suggests 50ml (millilitres). Method: 20g of granules plus 280ml of boiling water. Consider:
My first point is that my quality measuring jugs do not include a scale sufficiently detailed to enable an accurate 280ml of boiling water to be measured. Fortunately, if you read grams on your kitchen scale for millilitres (with water) that will accurately deliver 280ml.
- 20g X 397 kcal divided by 100 = 79.4 kcal for the whole mix (280ml)
- 280ml divided by 50ml = 6 (near enough)
- 79.4 kcal divided by 6 = 13 kcal (near enough, as claimed)
Having tested this I would consider a 50ml portion to be modest. Much depends on the meal content. Some meals maybe a little more. We will all have a different view on this.
However, try mixing 20g of granules with 280ml of boiling water and that does not deliver what anyone I know would call gravy, just lightly coloured water. Again we will all have a different view on this but I think we are being stiffed with that data.
My own typical preferred portion is 10g of granules plus boiling water to taste, probably around 70ml. That will actually cost me 40 kcal but as long as I know, I cannot get overdrawn on my kcal account.
40 kcal may not seem much but we can far too easily fritter away our daily allocation on such apparently minor items without realizing it. I keep saying it, trust no one but yourself and the numbers. With the kcal-watch spreadsheets, you now have the means to take full control.
This may seem absurdly nit-picking to some but please remember this is for people trying to reduce their weight by accurately counting kcal (Calories). And it really works. |
