Nutritional Information
Calorie A calorie is a standard unit of measure of energy in nutrition. A calorie represents how much energy you are getting from the food you consume. An average person should consume anywhere between 1,800 and 3,500 calories a day.
Carbohydrates Carbohydrates, the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and many vegetables, are the human body's key source of energy, providing approximately 4 calories of energy per gram. Carbohydrates are broken down in the body to help maintain tissue protein, metabolize fat, and fuel the central nervous system.
Protein Dietary proteins are powerful compounds that build and repair body tissues, fight infection, serve as chemical messengers and speed up chemical reaction in the body by helping transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Although protein provides nearly 4 calories of energy per gram, the body uses protein for energy only if carbohydrate and fat intake is insufficient.
Carotene Carotene is a vitamin precursor found in vegetables and fruits and is essential in manufacturing Vitamin A for the body.
Fiber The recommended dietary intake of fiber is 25 to 30 grams per day. Dietary fiber is fundamental to lowering blood cholesterol levels, fighting heart problems and diabetes, and disease prevention in general.
Fat Fats that provide almost 9 calories of energy per gram are the most concentrated of the energy-producing nutrients, so our bodies need only a very small amount. Saturated fats should make up no more than 10% of a person's calorie intake each day. Non-saturated fat actually helps control cholesterol levels in the blood and should therefore make up approximately 20% of a person's total calorie intake each day.