Is the whole greater than, equal to, or less than the sum of its parts?

[VikingWarlord]

When cooking a "complex" dish, how do you figure out the nutritional value? If I compile all the information for all of the ingredients (say, in jambabaya) and add them up, how accurate would the information be for that whole batch of whatever I made, then divide it accordingly? Is that reliable?

It's something I never really thought about before, but with trying to keep a strict rein on my intake, it's something I have to start considering.

[RedSpikeyThing]

That's about as acurate as you'll get. Just remember to add in the oil if you're frying anything.

[PhilsterT]

Why oil? I always use butter? What kind of oil should I use?

[TheGimp]

Why oil? I always use butter? What kind of oil should I use?

For frying stick to butter.

[ddegroff]

If you always calculate it the same way then you are tracking correctly. Who cares if it's a few cals off.