I know this is probably a dumb question. But I want to ask anyway.

On all of the boxed foods that I buy they give 2 calorie counts "in box" and "as prepared". Like for this one angel hair pasta that I have it says 200 calories in box per serving, and 280 calories as prepared per serving. There is 2.5 servings in the container so it comes to a total of 500 calories in box, and 700 prepared. The only thing that is required to prepare this paticular pasta though is 1 table spoon butter (50 calories) and 3/4 cup milk (68 calories) So where are they coming up with the extra calories? When they say "in box" does that include the seasoning as well? Or is that just the pasta? The same goes for rice a roni as well, the as prepared is always much higher than what it should be, why?

The "in box" is literally just what is in the box, for example just the pasta or just the rice in a rice a roni box. The extra calories for the "prepared" part is from, as you said, the added butter and milk, and whatever else the recipe/box requires.

That's where the extra calories come, the butter and everything else clearly adds calories, so when prepared it is more calories. The seasoning may have some too, especially if it's a creamy sauce that is in the seasoning package or something.

so in a pasta roni box, even though the seasoning is in the box, they don't include that in the "in box" calorie count??? Just the noodles or what?

I'd say the seasoning is included, also I really cant see 82 calories in just seasoning. Are you getting 68 calories from skim milk? They could be using a different type of milk, or butter. It may be rounded up a little bit, because I doubt it has exactly 200 calories.

I'd say you are good though, I have never seen seasoning with 82 calories for 2.5 servings. You could pour BBQ sauce over it and have less calories than that lol.

Could be wrong though, not an expert in food. Just my opinion.

I had something similar to what you must have in my kitchen. 2.5 servings, 500 calories, 700 as prepared. It also says the butter is optional, so If you really wanted to cut back, eliminate the butter.

Not to be a stickler or get in your business, but I wouldn't recommend eating that processed junk. Carb overload, with fatty, salty sauces...

I didn't intend to come off like I supported these meals either. I agree with MarkMyWords.

Lipton - Rice Sides - Cheddar Broccoli
(full package)

575 calories
3.75g fat (1.25 saturated)
2,510 sodium
117.5 carbs
(thats not even with milk or butter that you add in after)


Now yours is probably different, just reminding you not to just look at the calories. Granted its the whole package, but most people usually polish off a whole bag of this at a time. If I had to eat something like this I would eat a very small amount, as side dishes (probably over 1 week).

Dude where are you getting only 50 calories for a tablespoon worth of butter. A tablespoon worth of butter is more like 100 calories (11 grams of fat). Are you using margarine or something?

~Nicole

well I just double checked my butter and it's called "country crock spread with calcium" it has 50 calories per tablespoon with 5 grams of fat.

Also thanks for the advice on what not to eat in my diet, I need some advice on what to eat though, I know very little about nutrition. Before coming to this site I always thought my diet was pretty healthy. That consisted of hamburgers, pizza, noodles, and a bunch of home cooked items. I always knew that chips and pop were terrible and pizza too I guess among everything fast food, but never knew that hamburgers, noodles and bread were etc.

I wouldn't use country **** if you can avoid it. last I checked, it was full of hydrogenated oils (trans fat).

and yeah, 'as prepared' is an ESTIMATE of the calorie increase with the added ingredients.

if you used light olive oil spread and skim milk, you'd have fewer calories than real butter and whole milk (or cream).

it says it has zero trans fat, are they hiding it somehow?