Calorie Values (For Clarissa)

New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 953, 15 November 1957, Page 33

Calorie Values (For Clarissa)

Here is the answer to "Clarissa, of Christchurch," who asked for the calorie values of an egg, an apple, orange, etc. I wrote to the Home Science Extension of the Department of Adult Education, Otago University, and the Senior Tutor replies as follows: "I am sending you a copy of the Health Department booklet ‘Slimming, which lists calorie values on pages 12 to 14," I suppose this booklet must be available from the Health Department: if you write for it. It stresses the importance af the necessity for studying the nutritive value of the diet, which must contain important nutrients as well as the necessary amount of calories. To quote: "It is unwise and. even dangerous, except in special circumstances and under medical supervision, to reduce calories below a certain level." So be careful to choose "foods which have a high, allround nutritional value." The basic diet given in the Health Department booklet provides approximately 1400 calories, and, for the average person, a lower intake is not considered safe. Clarissa will see from the booklet that one whole egg equals 70, calories, and one fried egg 110 calories; an ounce of butter 210 calories; an ounce slice of bread (brown or white) 70 calories, a medium apple 60 calories, and a medium orange the same. One serving of steamed fish fillet equals 70 calories; and a medium serving of roast beet or mutton, without gravy, 300 calories.