Efficiency of Eating Grass & Produce to Reach 2000kcal Daily

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the efficiency of consuming grass and produce to meet a daily caloric intake of 2000 kcal. It highlights the commonly cited 10% efficiency rate in energy transfer from plants to humans. Participants explore the practicality of achieving this caloric goal through a vegetarian diet, which includes vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. The conversation emphasizes the need for specific quantities of these foods to meet nutritional requirements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of caloric intake and dietary requirements
  • Familiarity with the concept of energy transfer in food chains
  • Knowledge of vegetarian dietary components
  • Basic nutritional guidelines for daily food consumption
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the caloric content of various vegetables and fruits
  • Research the nutritional value of legumes and grains
  • Explore the concept of energy efficiency in food production
  • Investigate meal planning strategies for a vegetarian diet
USEFUL FOR

Nutritionists, dietitians, individuals interested in vegetarian diets, and anyone seeking to optimize their daily caloric intake through plant-based foods.

Pengwuino
Gold Member
Messages
5,112
Reaction score
20
I've always heard (from professionals as well) that each step in a food change has a roughly 10% efficiency rate. That is, you earn 10% of the energy the lower chain animal/plant earned when it ate/did whatever. Now my question is in regards to what you hear a lot of hippie-types say: Humans should eat off the land and eat grass. They use the idea of the 10% efficiency as a way to convince you that it should be done. What I'm wondering though is how much grass would you need to eat in one day to fulfill the 2000kcal daily allowance people are adviced to keep? How many vegetables/fruits on average would you need to eat in a day to fulfill that allowance?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Pengwuino said:
What I'm wondering though is how much grass would you need to eat in one day to fulfill the 2000kcal daily allowance people are adviced to keep? How many vegetables/fruits on average would you need to eat in a day to fulfill that allowance?
As you've alluded, the term grass is metaphorically taken to mean a vegetarian diet. This may consist of vegetables, fruits, cooked grains, nuts, seeds & legumes. To give you a feel for daily consumption, here is a page with a http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtot18.htm .
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
40K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
64
Views
18K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
13K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
592