Nutrition: From Suds to Soda Pops

Question: I’m curious about the nutritional value of beer (regular and light). Also, how do these compare with soft drinks (regular and diet) as well as with wine?

Answer: The following information comes from “Nutritive Value of Foods,” U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Home & Garden Bulletin No. 72.

Beer--Regular: 12 fluid ounces contain 150 calories, one gram protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 13 grams carbohydrate, 14 milligrams calcium, 50 milligrams phosphorus, 0.1 milligram iron, 115 milligrams potassium, 18 milligrams sodium, 0 international units Vitamin A, 0.02 milligram thiamine, 0.09 milligram riboflavin, 1.8 milligrams niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Beer--Light: 12 fluid ounces contain 95 calories, one gram protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, five grams carbohydrate, 14 milligrams calcium, 43 milligrams phosphorus, 0.1 milligram iron, 64 milligrams potassium, 11 milligrams sodium, 0 international units Vitamin A, 0.03 milligram thiamine, 0.11 milligram riboflavin, 1.4 milligrams niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Cola-type Soda-- Regular: 12 fluid ounces contain 160 calories, 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 41 grams carbohydrate, 11 milligrams calcium, 52 milligrams phosphorus, 0.2 milligram iron, seven milligrams potassium, 18 milligrams sodium, 0 international units Vitamin A, 0.00 milligrams thiamine, 0.00 milligrams riboflavin, 0.0 milligrams niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Diet Cola-type Soda: 12 fluid ounces contain a trace of calories, 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, a trace of carbohydrate, 14 milligrams calcium, 39 milligrams phosphorus, 0.2 milligram iron, seven milligrams potassium, 32 milligrams sodium, 0 international units Vitamin A, 0.00 milligrams thiamine, 0.00 milligrams riboflavin, 0.0 milligrams niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Note: Sodium content is based on a blend of aspartame and saccharin; if only sodium saccharin is used, sodium is 75 milligrams; if only aspartame is used, sodium is 23 milligrams.

Wine--Red Table: 3 1/2 fluid ounces contain 75 calories, a trace of protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, three grams carbohydrate, eight milligrams calcium, 18 milligrams phosphorus, 0.4 milligram iron, 113 milligrams potassium, five milligrams sodium, no value was determined for international units Vitamin A, 0.00 milligrams thiamine, 0.03 milligram riboflavin, 0.1 milligram niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Wine--White Table: 3 1/2 fluid ounces contain 80 calories, a trace of protein, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, three grams carbohydrate, nine milligrams calcium, 14 milligrams phosphorus, 0.3 milligram iron, 83 milligrams potassium, five milligrams sodium, no value was determined for international units Vitamin A, 0.00 milligrams thiamine, 0.01 milligram riboflavin, 0.1 milligrams niacin and 0 milligrams ascorbic acid.

Q: I’ve recently started using whole wheat flour in place of white flour. However, some recipes I come across entail using whole wheat pastry flour. Where can I find this? I’ve been unsuccessful in locating it anywhere.

A: You can find whole wheat pastry flour at Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Foods Ranch Markets located around the Southland.