nutrition labeling

Question
Dear Karen,

Do you know how to convert the percentages given in 2000 calorie diets on food labels to actual amounts, or do you have a reference?  I have been all over the internet but can't find the answer.Lots of information on 2000 calorie diets but no answers to my question.  Hard to believe I am the only person who ever asked this question.

For example, I drink skim milk which says that 1 cup contains 30% calcium based on a 2000 calorie diet. What is the actual amount calcium in milligrams?

I have cottage cheese which says that for 1/2 cup
the amount of calcium is 8% (perecent daily value)for 2000 calcorie diet.  What is the actual amount of calcium in milligrams?

These 2 foods are especially important to me because it has been suggested I limit my daily calcium intake and I know they contain quite a bit of calcium.  I also like these foods.

Thanks very much.

Gordon Richman


Answer
Hi Gordon,

I can understand why you're confused! It is difficult to obtain accurate information about food labelling. The %Daily Value on the nutrition label is based on the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI's) for a 2000 calorie diet. The DRI for calcium is 1000 mg, therefore a 30% DV would be 300 mg of calcium. An 8% DV would be 80 mg. To learn more about the Dietary Reference Intakes, go to:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000105.html

I'm also curious as to why you have been told to limit your calcium intake (I can't think of many reasons why you would need to do this). If by any chance it is due to kidney stones, you might want to read this article:

http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/new/kidstone.htm

Hope that helps!

Karen

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