Author: Calorie in my food

The Calorie in My Food editorial team has a weakness for calorie numbers that seem a little too neat. We examine food labels, compare USDA entries, check the rules behind package claims, and do the small calculations that often clear up a big question. Our articles explain what food data can tell you, where it has limits, and why a simple serving size can complicate the answer.
Raw vegetables sit beside broccoli and cauliflower as they boil in water.
Calorie Basics

Raw vs. Cooked Vegetables – Why the Calorie Numbers Can Look Different

Calorie in my foodComments Off on Raw vs. Cooked Vegetables – Why the Calorie Numbers Can Look Different

A large plate of vegetables can look substantial without supplying many calories. A second source of confusion appears when nutrition databases list different calorie values for the same vegetable in raw and cooked form. The explanation often starts with water: cooking changes the weight and concentration of the food, even when heat has not added […]

A 500-calorie food collage shows how the same calories can look very different on a plate.
Calorie Basics

Why 500 Calories Can Look Like a Feast or Barely Cover a Plate

Calorie in my foodComments Off on Why 500 Calories Can Look Like a Feast or Barely Cover a Plate

Imagine two dinner plates. One is full of vegetables and lean meat; the other contains a much smaller amount of calorie-dense food. Both could provide roughly 500 calories despite looking nothing alike. The exact result depends on the ingredients and their weights, so consider the comparison an illustration rather than a recorded meal. The main […]

Person checks the calorie count on a nutrition label beside a kitchen scale.
Calorie Basics

Is the Calorie Count on a Nutrition Label Allowed to Be Wrong?

Calorie in my foodComments Off on Is the Calorie Count on a Nutrition Label Allowed to Be Wrong?

A package of cookies can say 150 calories per serving and still raise a good question: how closely must that number match the food inside? The answer depends on the rules behind the label and the way the product is tested. Does the calorie count on a nutrition label have to be accurate? Not completely. […]

Celery with a calorie scale and digestive system graphic showing how the body processes it.
Vegetables

Does Celery Really Burn More Calories Than It Gives You?

Calorie in my foodComments Off on Does Celery Really Burn More Calories Than It Gives You?

Nutrition labels can make even a familiar food worth a second look. Celery is a good example because its low calorie content has inspired a claim that deserves a closer examination. The claim that celery burns more calories than it contains has circulated for years. Does celery really have negative calories? No The body uses […]

Alt Text: Steak with roasted potatoes and broccoli beside a slice of chocolate cake.
Calorie Basics

Is a Calorie From Steak the Same as a Calorie From Sugar?

Calorie in my foodComments Off on Is a Calorie From Steak the Same as a Calorie From Sugar?

Put 200 calories of steak beside 200 calories of sugar and an obvious question follows: do they deliver the same energy, and does the body respond to them in the same way? Is a calorie from steak the same as a calorie from sugar? Yes, when it comes to energy. However, the body processes proteins […]