Tag: Dieting accuracy

According to the FDA, food labels can legally be up to 20% inaccurate for calories and other nutrients, causing many to question, 'how accurate are macros on food?'. Several factors, from manufacturing variations to the fundamental calculation methods, mean the numbers on a label are best viewed as an estimate rather than a precise measure.

According to the CDC, nearly 35% of daily calories for Americans come from restaurants, but a 2013 study revealed that 20% of tested restaurant meals had at least 100 calories more than advertised. While fast food chains are generally more accurate than sit-down restaurants due to standardized preparation, the listed numbers are not always a perfect reflection of what you are served.