Food Calorie Counter
Look up calories for common foods and calculate totals.
Overview
The Food Calorie Counter lets you look up calories for individual foods and track your total daily caloric intake. With an extensive food database covering meals, snacks, and beverages, it provides accurate calorie counts that you can adjust by portion size to match your actual consumption.
Formula
Total calories = Sum of (Calories per 100g x Amount consumed in grams / 100) for each food item. Recommended daily intake is approximately 2,500 kcal for adult males and 2,000 kcal for adult females (varies by activity level).
How to Use
- 1Search for a food item by name or browse by category.
- 2Enter the amount consumed (in grams or servings).
- 3Add multiple foods to build a meal or full day of eating.
- 4Review total calories and macronutrient breakdown.
Tips
- ✔Cooking methods greatly affect calorie counts — grilled chicken has far fewer calories than fried chicken.
- ✔Don't forget to count sauces, dressings, and cooking oils, which can add significant calories.
- ✔Log your meals right after eating for the most accurate tracking.
- ✔Use a food scale for precise portion measurements when possible.
FAQ
Q. Is counting calories alone enough for a healthy diet?
While total calorie intake matters, you should also consider macronutrient ratios (carbs, protein, fat) and micronutrient intake (vitamins, minerals). The quality of calories matters as much as the quantity for overall health.
Q. How accurate are calorie counts for home-cooked meals?
Home-cooked meal calories are estimates since cooking methods and ingredient brands vary. For best accuracy, weigh raw ingredients individually and sum their calories. Calorie databases provide averages that are generally within 10-20% of actual values.
Q. Should I count calories from exercise?
Yes. Track both intake and expenditure. Net calories (consumed minus burned) provide a clearer picture for weight management. However, exercise calorie estimates can be inaccurate, so use them as rough guides.
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