Introduction
The nutritional content of many foods is of great concern to human health. Most companies indicates the nutritional contents of each ingredients in its packed foods, however, this is based on wrong calculation providing misleading information. This is very dangerous. A perfect method according to (Bluman, 2005) is presented in analyzing three foods for its fat and protein content.
Incorrect formulae used by companies
Percentage=*100
Correct formulae
Percentage=*100
Breakfast: zymil low fat milk-perserve (250ml) 473kJ. 8.5g protein, 3.3g fat,12.3g carbs, 12.3g sugar, 150ml sodium , 313mg calcium
1calorie=0.0041858 kg
473kJ=113001 calories
Protein calories= 8.5*4=34
Percentage protein calories in the parked (250ml) Zymil milk=*100=0.03% of calories from proteins
Percentage fat calories in the parked (250ml) Zymil=*100=0.026%
Lunch: sargento reduced fat cheese Colby-jack snack bars; snack of 60 calories , 4.5g fat, 5g protein, 0g carbs, 0g fiber.
Percentage protein calories in single pack= *100=33.3% of calories from proteins
Percentage fat calories in a single pack of sargento=*100=67.5% calories from fat
Dinner: cooked ferro perlato 100calories, 1g fat, 27g carbs, 3,5g fiber, 4g protein
Percentage protein calories in single pack of coked ferro perlato = *100=16% of calories from proteins
Percentage fat calories in a single pack of cooked ferro perlato =*100=9% calories from fat
Conclusion
In calculating the calorie percentage manufacturers have been misleading in giving information about their products, although a better way has been developed. The method gives a better way to calculate the percentage calories from each ingredient as this is more useful, than using the total weight of the packed food. This is because the calorie ration in the food is what is of nutritional value rather than the mass. The method helps in calculating the exact calories value for all packed foods. This helps in maintaining health status especially people on diet programs.
Reference
Bluman A.G. (2205). Mathematics in our world (Ashford university custom edition). United states: McGraw-Hill
