Here is one that jumped off that page at us the other day that has significant implications, if true, and reinforces the argument that counting calories as we know it may be a waste of time.  A new study, discussed in a recent article at The Guardian revealed that many food retailers are underestimating the true calorie content of many foods on its labeling.  Here are a few key excerpts:

People who eat high-fibre foods such as vegetables and muesli are consuming more calories than they think because the current food labels do not take into account the calories in fibre.

Meanwhile the system overestimates, by up to 20%, the content of some protein-rich foods such as tuna steak that can take more energy to digest than simple carbohydrates such as white bread.

Surprised?  There’s more:

“There is a lot of misinformation around calories, and it is crucial for the consumer, whether they are on a diet or not, to have the correct information about what they eat,” said Professor Richard Wrangham, a primatologist at Harvard University.

He said the public was being given “erroneous information about the energy value of many foods”.

Go read the whole article here and let us know what you think.  While you’re at it, go to our nutrition challenge page and set up your own highly configurable challenge with your colleagues, friends, and family today!