How Measured Plate works, and what it does not do

Measured Plate does not supply limits. It never sets, suggests or works out a daily limit for anyone. The only limits it shows are the ones you type in yourself, from your own doctor or dietitian.

Ask your doctor or dietitian what your limits are.

What it does

It shows what is in a portion of food: sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat and calories, each with its unit and its portion.
It compares those amounts with the limits you typed in, and states the share as a percentage.
It keeps a running total for today. The total is kept on your device, not on our systems.

It is a food reference and a calculator. Nothing more.

What it does not do

It does not set limits. Every limit field starts empty.
It does not advise. It does not say what to eat, how much, or when.
It does not judge a food. No food is marked good or bad, and no colour or score rates a food, a meal or a day.
It does not answer health questions, and it cannot tell you what a number means for you.

Limits are personal and can change. Use the figures your own doctor or dietitian gave you.

When a figure is "not reported"

Some sources do not give a figure for every nutrient. When a figure is missing, the page says "not reported". It never shows a zero in its place.

"Not reported" means the amount is unknown. It does not mean there is none.

A zero is shown only when the source itself records zero.

When a total says "at least"

If one of the foods in a total has a figure that is not reported, the total cannot be complete. It then reads "at least", followed by the sum of the figures that are known and the number of items not reported.

The true total is that amount or more.

Who wrote it

Written and checked by Rafiq Khan, MD, PhD.

The author does not know you or your health, and using this site does not make anyone your doctor. Your own doctor or dietitian is the person to ask about your food and your limits.

Every figure comes from a named source. The sources and the method are set out on Where the numbers come from.

If you think a number is wrong

Tell us. Each food page has a link for this, and the address is on the Contact page. Say which food, which portion, the figure you saw, and the figure on the source if you have it.

We check every report against the source. When a figure is changed, the change is listed with its date on the Corrections page.