What is the Density Value?
The density value of a food item is its weight to volume ratio that allows it to be converted between volume and weight.
For example, the "Cereal, Corn Flakes Bulk" food item (screenshot below) has a density value of 0.095339, which indicates there is 0.095339 grams per millilitre. (To open a food item to see its density value, see Searching for and Opening a Food Item).
When you add a food item with a density value to a recipe, it can be added using a weight unit of measure or volume unit of measure.
If added to the recipe using a volume unit of measure, the system will then be able to convert to weight using the density value. The weight is added to the total weight of the recipe, which is needed in calculating the estimated serving size and nutritionals.
Calculation to Convert to Volume
The volume for a food item is calculated by dividing its weight in grams by its density value. The result is in millilitres (ml).
Example: 840.89 g weight / 0.095339 density value = 8820 ml volume
Calculation to Convert to Weight
The weight for a food item is calculated by multiplying its volume in ml by its density value. The result is in grams (g).
Example: 8820 ml volume x 0.095339 density value = 840.89 g weight
How is the Density Value of a Food Item Calculated?
Keeping with the above example of butter, the calculation to determine its density value is as follows:
Average Weight in Grams of One Cup of Butter | Divided by Average Weight in Grams of One Cup of Water | Equals Density Value of Butter |
227 g | / 235.69 g | 0.963129 |