Calorie Density

Nutrition Data (http://nutritiondata.self.com) provides nutrition label data for every food, including per portion calories and weight. Calorie density is calculated as calories divided by weight. Notice that the result calorie density is independent of potion size.

- Calorie Density = Weight / Calories

Because portions are typically weighed in metric grams, convert to pounds (454 grams = 1 pound.) This formula can be plugged into a spreadsheet table. As an example, compare raw to cooked broccoli. Notice calorie density is about the same whether raw or cooked.

- Broccoli, raw (calorie density) = 31 calories / 1 cup chopped (91 g) = (454 grams per pound) 31 calories / 91 grams = 155 calories per pound
- Broccoli, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt = 98 calories / 1 stalk (280 g) = (454 grams per pound) 98 calories / 280 grams = 159 calories per pound

My rule of thumb of vegetables is 200 calories per pound. Some are more; most are actually less.

My rule of thumb for starches is 500 calories per pound. Some are more; some are less.

My rule of thumb for fruits is 200 calories per pound. Most are actually more; some are less.