How Are Carbs and Other Macronutrients Measured in Food?

Carbohydrates are measured indirectly, rather than using experimental methods. First, the amount of other nutrients in the food (protein, fats, water, ash, and alcohol) is determined individually. We then subtract the sum of these individual values from the total weight of the food. Total Carbs = 100 – (weight in grams of [protein + fat + water + ash + alcohol] in 100 g of food) To measure protein, the nitrogen content is determined, and this amount is then multiplied by a factor to get the protein content. On average, we find the nitrogen content in proteins to be 16%. Total Protein = Nitrogen in Food x 6.25 (1/0.16 = 6.25) The methods used to measure fats are solvent extraction, non-solvent extraction, and a few other instrumental methods.