Chapter 1. Introduction to Nutrition
In nutrition, there are two systems of commonly used measurements: Metric and US Customary.
The Metric and US Customary System
These are commonly used prefixes for the Metric System:
| Micro- (μ) |
1/1,000,000th (one millionth) |
| Milli- (m) |
1/1000th (one thousandth) |
| Centi- (c) |
1/100th (one hundredth) |
| Deci- (d) |
1/10th (one tenth) |
| Kilo- (k) |
1000x (one thousand times) |
Mass
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Microgram (μg) |
Ounce (oz) |
1 oz = 28.35 g |
| Milligram (mg) |
Pound (lb) |
1 lb = 16 oz |
| Gram (g) |
|
1 lb = 454 g |
| Kilogram (kg) |
|
1 kg = 2.2 lbs |
Volume
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Milliliter (mL) |
Teaspoon (tsp) |
1 tsp = 5 mL |
| Deciliter (dL) |
Tablespoon (tbsp) |
1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 mL |
| Liter (L) |
Fluid ounce (fl oz) |
1 fl oz = 2 tbsp = 30 mL |
|
Cup (c) |
1 c = 8 fl oz = 237 mL |
|
Pint (pt) |
1 pt = 2 c = 16 fl oz |
|
Quart (qt) |
1 qt = 4 c = 32 fl oz = 0.95 L |
|
Gallon (gal) = 4 qt |
1 gal = 4 qt |
Length
| Metric System |
US Customary System |
Conversions |
| Millimeter (mm) |
Inch (in) |
1 in = 25.4 mm |
| Centimeter (cm) |
Foot (ft) |
1 ft= 30.5 cm |
| Meter (m) |
Yard (yd) |
1 yd = 0.9 m |
| Kilometer (km) |
Mile (mi) |
1 mi = 1.6 km |
