applies to: nutraCoster 2.1, nutraCoster 3.0

Overview

Here is what you need to know about units of measure in nutraCoster.

• Each item in the Master Items List has its own set of units (a cup of oil is different from a cup of water).
• There is no limit to the number of units you can define for each item.
• Items in the USDA database already have most of the common units defined.


• There is no limit to the number of items you can add to the Master Items List yourself.
• When you add an item the only units defined are the weight units (lbs, oz, g, kg).


• You can define any other units you need by telling nutraCoster how much they weigh. For example, for Canola Oil, 1 cup = 218 g, or 1 cup = 7.6896 oz
• When you define any of the volume units, nutraCoster automatically defines the rest of the volume units for you.
• You can define any unit in terms of any other defined unit. For example, 1 muffin = 3 oz, and then 1 package = 3 muffins.
• You can define any quantity of a unit. For example, for packing tape it might be more convenient to define "100 ft = 3 oz".

Open the Units of Measure Window

Use the Add or Change Units procedure to define units. You can access this procedure several ways:

For nutraCoster 2.1:

• Click the Units of Measure tool bar button at the top of the screen. Whenever nutraCoster knows which item you are working on this button becomes enabled (the measuring cup is red). When you are not working on a specific item the button is disabled (the measuring cup is gray). If you hold the mouse pointer over this button for a moment nutraCoster will tell you its function. See the General Information chapter in nutraCoster Help for a description of tool bar buttons.
• Right click the item anywhere in nutraCoster and choose Add or Change Units from the shortcut menu.
• Choose File, Master Items, Add or Change Units from the menu.

For nutraCoster 3.0:

• Anywhere in nurtaCoster, click the Add or Change Units button (red measuring cup) next to a unit dropdown. This opens the Units of Measure window for the item.

Units Dropdown - Add or Change Units button (nutraCoster 3.0)
• Right click the item anywhere in nutraCoster and choose Add or Change Units from the shortcut menu.

Units Shortcut Menu (nutraCoster 3.0)
• Choose File, Master Items, Add or Change Units from the menu.
• Click the Units of Measure tool bar button (red measuring cup) at the top of the screen. Highlight the recipe for which you'd like to define a unit and click "OK".

Add or Change Units Toolbar button (nutraCoster 3.0)

Precision of Units

If you want precise nutrition, the weight of the units of measure must be precise.

When weighing items to define units of measure, weigh the largest possible quantity. This will reduce the effects of resolution and measurement errors.

If you are defining units for items that have a natural variation in size (such as cookies), weigh a larger quantity and take an average.

For packaging items and other items that have no nutrition value, the weight is not critical, but it doesn't hurt to get it close.

Languages

applies to: nutraCoster 3.0

Units of measure can be entered in English, French and Spanish.

• To enter English, French, and Spanish units, enter the English, followed by a vertical bar ("|"), followed by the French, followed by a vertical bar ("|"), followed by the Spanish.
• You can enter any combination of the languages by including the corresponding vertical bars with or without text. Trailing vertical bars are not necessary.

example: You might define the unit "cup" as “cup | tasse | taza”.

nutraCoster will automatically select the correct language or languages when creating Nutrition Facts labels.

Units of Measure Helper

applies to: nutraCoster 3.0

You can use the Units of Measure Helper to add the item to a group and subgroup, and to suggest possible units for the item.

However, you will usually know which unit you want to define. You can skip the Helper and go directly to the Define Units tab by checking "In the future, skip this Helper and go directly to the Define Units tab".

Defining Units - Step by Step Instructions

Here are step by step instructions. As an example we will define a unit as 8 cookies = 16 oz.

1. Open the Units of Measure window using any of the techniques described above. Click the Define Units tab if it is not currently selected.

Units of Measure Window - Define Units tab (nutraCoster 3.0)
2. Type the unit description in the Unit field (the yellow field with the blinking cursor).You can include multiple languages.
   
   Example: Type the word "cookie" (without the quotes). Or "cookie | biscuit | galleta".
   
   
3. When the unit description has been entered, press Enter or Tab on the keyboard, or click [Unit Entered].
   
   
4. To the left of the Unit field, enter the number of units you are defining (this will usually be 1, and you won't need to change it).
   
   Example: Delete the 1 and type 8.
   
   
5. To the right of the equal sign, enter the quantity or weight for the number of units you are defining.
   
   Example: Type 16.
   
   
6. Open the Unit dropdown and select the appropriate unit for the number of units you are defining.
   
   Example: Select "oz" as the unit. At this point the line across the top of the Units window should read "8 cookie = 16 oz".
   
   
7. Make sure the Singular and Plural forms of the unit are correct.
   
   Example: This would be "cookie" and "cookies", or "cookies | biscuits | galettas".
   
   
8. Click [Save Unit].

The new unit will now be available in the unit dropdown for this item everywhere in nutraCoster.

Whole Qtys Only

When you create reports for different quantities or batch sizes for your recipes, nutraCoster automatically calculates required ingredient quantities.

This will frequently result in fractional units for ingredients. However, fractional units don't make sense for some items. For example, you will rarely ship product in half a box.

If you check Whole Qtys Only, nutraCoster will round the calculated quantity to the next higher whole number. For example, if the batch size requires 3.5 boxes, nutraCoster will indicate 4 boxes are required.

Always equals Finishing Yield

Units for items that are used as recipes/formulas can be marked as "Always equals Finishing Yield" units.

• When you check "Always equals Finishing Yield," nutraCoster sets the unit weight/quantity to be equal to the recipe/formula finishing yield.
• If the recipe/formula finishing yield changes, nutraCoster automatically updates the unit.

example: The Total Ingredient Weight of your recipe is 50 lbs. The Preparation Yield, Processing Yield, and Finishing Yield are all 100%, 50 lbs. If you enter a unit "batch" and check "Always equals Finishing Yield", nutraCoster will define the unit as 1 batch = 50 lbs.

example: If you then add an ingredient that changes the Total Ingredient Weight to 60 lbs, nutraCoster will automatically update the unit to be 1 batch = 60 lbs.

Note that "Always equals Finishing Yield" units are updated every time the recipe/formula finishing yield changes, even if the recipe has not yet been saved. If you do not save changes to the recipe/formula, nutraCoster will revert the "Always equals Finishing Yield" unit to the previous value.

More Information

Refer to the Units of Measure chapter in nutraCoster Help for more information.