← All guides Basics · Explainer · 3 min

How much do oil and sauces add? Build a plate and see

A splash of oil is the biggest unmeasured part of many meals. Fat carries about 9 kcal per gram, so one tablespoon of olive oil is roughly 120 kcal. Pick a base meal, slide in the oil, butter and sauces you really use, and see how much of the meal they make.

You do not have to cut them out: just learn the size of the spoon, so your estimate matches your plate.

Thu 15 Oct 2026

Plate split into three orange and grey sections above an orange oil spoon

More in Basics

14 OctDo 10,000 steps burn as many calories as you think? Put in your numbers and see 13 OctDo drinks count? Build a day of drinks and see the calories 12 OctHow much protein do you need? Put in your weight and see 11 OctWhy does progress slow down? Move the slider and watch the gap close 9 OctWhy does the scale jump 1 kg overnight? Play with a month of weigh-ins 8 OctHow big is a portion? Use your own hand to estimate it categoryAll Basics →

Next up

previousIs low-carb better for weight loss? See what the research found randomSurprise me