South African Medical Research Council Food Quantities Manual
South African Medical Research Council Food Quantities Manual
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Food Quantities Manual (Langenhoven et al., 1991) assists with the conversion of food intake reported in household measures, e.g., spoons, cups, or in dimensions, into grams of food. Information is provided for the food items available in the Condensed Food Composition Tables for South Africa. The example below illustrates the type of information that can be found in the MRC Food Quantities Manual.
| Group: Fruit | Weight of edible food in gram | |||||
| Code | Food item | Size and description | One Unit | 5ml | 1L TSP | 1TSP |
3563 Paw paw, raw |
Cubes | 6 |
7 |
12 |
||
| Cube 15X15X15MM | 5 |
|||||
| Half 180X140X25MM | 616 |
|||||
| Quarter 175X100X25MM | 340 |
|||||
Food Models
Food models are important tools for quantifying dietary intake data when estimated dietary records are used. It assists the interviewer or the respondent in estimating the food intake of the individual as accurately as possible.
Generic food models can be cut from plastic foam, wood, card board or it can be made from a special recipe using flour, salt and water. Plastic models are not readily available in South Africa but can be ordered from the United States of America.
