Specifying Serving Size for Nutrition Reports

applies to: nutraCoster 3.0

nutraCoster will calculate the nutrition for any serving size. You specify the serving size when you create any of the nutrition reports.

Refer to the article Determining Serving Sizes for Nutrition Facts Labels for details about determining what the serving size quantity should be.

The labeling regulations state that serving sizes should be expressed in "common household measures". This includes units like "cookies", "muffins", "pieces", "slices", etc.

Define the units you need for the serving size with the Add or Change Units procedure. Refer to the article Defining Units of Measure for details about defining units.

Specify the serving size in the Serving Sizes tab of the Options window for any of the nutrition reports. For example:

  1. Choose Reports, Nutrition Labels, Recipe/Formula Nutrition Labels from the menu.
  2. In the Options for Recipe/Formula Nutrition Labels window, select your recipe or recipes in the Items tab.
  3. Click the Serving Sizes tab and specify the Servings per Container, Serving Size and Unit for each item. You can also use the Serving Size Helper to determine the serving size.
  4. Click Create Report.
Reports Serving Size
Serving Sizes tab

nutraCoster remembers the serving size for each recipe.

Fractional serving sizes must be expressed using fractions, not expressed as decimals. The regulations specify that you use fractions like "1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6 or smaller fractions that can be generated by further division by 2 or 3."

nutraCoster will automatically convert decimal serving sizes to fractions. For example, if you enter a serving size as 1.5 cups, nutraCoster will display the serving size as 1 1/2 cups on any of the nutrition reports.

The labeling regulations state that the metric equivalent shall be listed in parentheses following the serving size. nutraCoster will automatically add the metric equivalent. For example, if you define a unit as 1 slice = 1 oz and specify the serving size as 1 slice, nutraCoster will list the serving size as 1 slice (28g).

Serving Size Options

Metric Equivalent in ml

If the serving size is a volume unit, nutraCoster can optionally express the metric equivalent in milliliters (ml) rather than grams (g). To do this check "Serving Size Metric Equivalent in ml" in the Serving Sizes tab of the report Options window.

If you express the metric equivalent in ml, you can use the following metric conversions:

  • US Customary units where 1 cup = 237 ml.
  • Canada units where 1 cup = 250 ml. For Nutrition Label reports, this option is automatically checked whenever you select any Canada label style.
  • FDA nutrition labeling units where 1 cup = 240 ml. For Nutrition Label reports, this option is automatically checked whenever you select any US label style.

Note that the metric conversion options affect only the serving size metric equivalent in parentheses. They do not change the nutrition analysis. nutraCoster uses the serving size quantity and unit as the basis for all nutrition calculations.

Include ounces in Parentheses

nutraCoster can optionally include ounces (oz) inside the parentheses with the metric equivalent. To do this check "Serving Size Include oz in parentheses" in the Serving Sizes tab of the report Options window.

Note that there is no provision in the Canada Nutrition Labeling regulations to include ounces in parentheses.

Include Visual Unit of Measure in Parentheses

You can also optionally include a "visual unit of measure" in the parentheses. This is usually used for products that have a natural variation in the size of individual units.

For example, the serving size of potato chips might be "1 oz (28g/about 8 chips)".

  • Check the "Serving Size Include Visual Unit of Measure in Parentheses" checkbox and enter the Visual Unit of Measure in the Data Entry Field.

    For example: "1 oz (28g/about 8 chips)".

  • Check the "Remove Slash" checkbox to remove the slash between the metric equivalent and the Visual Unit of Measure.

    For example: "1 oz (28g edible portion)".

  • Check the "Outside Parentheses" checkbox to place the Visual Unit of Measure after the metric equivalent closing parenthesis.

    For example: "1 oz (28g) dry mix (makes 1 cup prepared)".

  • If the serving size is too wide, press Enter in the Visual Unit of Measure field to add line breaks where needed.

Note that there is no provision in the Canada Nutrition Labeling regulations to include a Visual Unit of Measure in parentheses.

Options Apply to the Currently Selected Item

Serving Size Options apply to individual items, and are saved for each item. If you have selected multiple items for the report, the Serving Size Options are applied to the currently selected item.

You can click Apply to All to apply the Serving Size Options to all of the selected items.

Saving/Restoring Serving Size Options

Serving Size options are saved when you click Create Report. The next time you run any nutrition report for an item the Serving Size Options for that item are restored.

If you have not yet run a nutrition report for an item, none of the options are selected.