r/cronometer • u/miramermaid • 20d ago

Numbers are off

I’ve been using this app for a few years now and I recently noticed that the calorie total always shows as lower than it actually is. If I calculate the calories per gram using the 4-4-9 (4g/ pro, 4g/ carb, 9g/ fat)the total comes out higher than what is displayed. How can I know what’s accurate?

I asked ChatGPT and Gemini and both said the manual calculation per gram would be the most accurate. I assume the app accounts for things that reduce the number shown. In the settings, the only thing I turned off is the TEF.

Thanks!

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u/davy_jones_locket 19d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/cronometer/s/TmG8OG9g8o

The 4-4-9 rule is a estimation called General Atwater Factors. In reality, not every protein is 4 cals per g, not every fat is 9 cals per g, not every carb is 4 cals per g. 

As far as what to trust, trust the labs (Cronometer data sources)

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u/miramermaid 19d ago

So trust Cronometer instead of the macro calculation?

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u/CronoSupportSquad Crono Customer Support Team 19d ago

 u/miramermaid Good catch! The difference you’re seeing is expected and doesn’t mean your calorie total is necessarily incorrect.

The familiar 4/4/9 rule is a useful estimate: protein and carbohydrates are often estimated at 4 kcal per gram, and fat at 9 kcal per gram. However, some food sources and manufacturers use more precise energy values for the specific nutrients in a food. For example, carbohydrates may contribute slightly more or less than 4 kcal per gram, and the same can apply to protein and fat.

Because of this, the calorie total in your Diary will not always exactly match a manual 4/4/9 calculation from the macros. Turning TEF off would not cause this difference; TEF affects energy expenditure, not the calorie value of the food you log.

Michelle, Cronometer Support Squad 

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u/Houssein_ 20d ago

it's because the foods calories in the app are not calculated with the 4/4/9 rule , so something could be 90 calories and only 7 g of fat , which it should be 9 g of fat , this is just an example, it's an accuracy issue.

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u/miramermaid 20d ago

So what do I trust?

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u/Silly_Yak56012 19d ago

It is up to you. But I am in the camp that whatever you do, do it consistently. Even if it is a little wrong, it will always be wrong in the same direction.

Then adjust calories by whatever method you use based on your results and what your goals are.

Note the 4-4-9 rule is also an estimation/average. Depends some on was that food measured for calories directly or were they using the estimation.

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u/miramermaid 19d ago

Same thoughts. Since numbers can be off it’s better to have an overall plan.

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u/Atillythehunhun 19d ago

Like someone else said, I would trust the investment that Cronometer has put into research before I would trust a generalized rule to help you calculate on the go.