© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR MTVWMeasuringTimeVolumeWeight

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR The gram (g) is the standard unit of mass in the metric or System Internationale (SI) system. The gram, along with milliliters (mL), are the metric units used to measure the serving size of food and are listed on the Nutrition Facts label found on food products. Looking at the nutrition label, you can see that many of the nutrients (e.g., fats, carbohydrates, and protein) are expressed in grams.

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR It's from this measure we can calculate out how many calories in each serving comes from fats, carbohydrates, and protein. At the bottom of most nutrition labels you will find the gram- calorie equivalents for fats, carbohydrates, and protein. 1 Fat gram = 9 calories 1 Carbohydrate gram = 4 calories 1 Protein gram = 4 calories

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR Knowing these equivalents, we can begin to calculate how much of the total calories per serving each individual nutrient provides Let’s look at carbohydrates. Remember: 1g = 4cal 16 (g) x 4 (cal) = 64cal from carbohydrates per serving

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR One paper clip weighs about one gramOne dime weighs about one gram What are some common, everyday objects that weigh just one gram? We know how grams are used on a nutrition label, what exactly is one gram?

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR teaspoon = 4g

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR Tablespoon = 12g 1 Tablespoon = how many paper clips? 1 Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR Volume Measuring serving size Water 1g = 1mL 1 teaspoon = 4g = 4mL If the Nutrition Facts Label indicates a serving size of 240 mL, how many teaspoons will that be?

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR Let’s be scientists! Let’s make measurements!

© 2008 Program ENERGY Program ENERGY is funded by SEPA grant number 5R25RR Program ENERGY is funded by a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources/National Institutes of Health in partnership with the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Colorado State University