How do you log calories when you dont know how much is in the food

[Derp5150]

How do you log calories when you dont know how much is in the food?

[RunnersHi]

@Derp5150, that's a really hard question to answer, but I'll give it a shot. 

I would start by estimating based on what you see and taste in the food. Get very comfortable with portion sizes so you can estimate the main ingredients separately. I think it's important to guess--even if it's guessing--because that means you are logging and being conscious of what you are eating.

This is something that gets easier with practice. It's important to get comfortable cooking for yourself whenever possible, so you really do know what's in your food. The longer you log foods that you know the calorie counts for, the easier it gets to estimate foods, especially ones similar to those you cook yourself. I also sometimes Google the food that I don't know the calorie count for and see what restaurants and other sites have as a calorie count for the same dish. 

Hope this helps...good luck!

[philly78]

I usually do a search on http://www.calorieking.com/

Hope that helps.

[Ukase]

Calorie values - when you have no idea what they are can be a clear sign that you're eating the wrong thing. 

For example: Eating at a restaurant? Avoid them, if you can. In my own case - I haven't been out to eat in ...a very long time - and even though the fresh vegetables are expensive - they're dirt cheap compared to spending 8 to 10 bucks for lunch at a restaurant. The more weight I lose, the more money I save! 

But - to answer your question - I was in a casino this past weekend with a coupon for a free buffet. Danger zone, right? 

I know that chefs generally are liberal with seasonings and butter, so I had to be smart. I chose roasted zucchini and squash over "Hot cheddar pasta" ( a rich man's version of mac&cheese, I guess).

I chose Roasted Turkey over fried chicken. I got a sweet potato  - but it wasn't cooked very well, so I didn't eat it. 

I also had snow crab legs. I have no idea how many calories are in them - because I don't know how many ounces I had - of anything! But, I know turkey would be about 130 calories for 4 ounces - so I just rounded up. Zucchini and squash - there didn't seem to be any butter - but even if there was a teaspoon of it (100 calories, I think) - that's still only 150 calories - because honestly, zucchini and squash aren't something I eat because it tastes good. I eat that for the micronutrients and to avoid the cake and cookies by putting something more useful in my gut. 

I rounded up the calorie guesses on everything - didn't go back for seconds and the figure came to about 800. According to the scale the next day, it was more like 575. 

That's what I do. 

[Raelcvn]

Calorie values - when you have no idea what they are can be a clear sign that you're eating the wrong thing.

This!

Though no matter what you eat, you should be able to estimate approximate servings. Google search restaurant food, it's amazing and disturbing calorie counts you will find.

I ate a YUMM bowl last week, we had a function here at work. It was 800 calories when I looked it up. I had a 3 oz turkey patty and celery for dinner. Lol.

I agree, Buffets can be dangerous if you aren't careful. It's just watching what you eat and serving control the same as if you are home.

[philly78]

 I have to disagree with the statement "Calorie values - when you have no idea what they are can be a clear sign that you're eating the wrong thing". When I first started eating healthy I had no idea how many calories were in the foods I was eating and tbh, I still don't know how many are in all the foods I eat, especially if it is a new recipe I'm trying out. And I eat a very clean diet.

[SunsetRunner]

^This.

The websites are great if you eat processed foods or go to restaurants. Short of looking up calorie counts for every ingredient there seems to be no good way to track homemade meals. #someoneshouldmakeanappforthat

[Punkynn01]

For a long time this was hard for me.  Pot lucks, and family reunions scared me because I never knew what the calories were.  I would stick with foods that weren't casseroles.  If I could see what it was and look it up I was ok.  This is really hard sometimes and makes it even harder for you to enjoy or endulge.  What I finally allowed myself was...

When I knew that something like this was coming up I would consider that my "Cheat Day".  Now this didn't give me liscense to go wild and eat everything.  I would do what I could about figuring calories...but I would allow myself a bite of the things that I didn't know (casserole)

I would also tell myself that on this day I needed to make sure that I exercised whether it was a walk, run or aerobics.  

Another thing that I did was I would ask for the recipe to things.  Sometimes certain people would bring their recipes and that made it more simple.  You can pretty much eye the recipe and figure what things will be.  I always go ahead and round up.  Better safe than sorry.  

[Punkynn01]

I was the same way for a long time.  Then I realized that in order to stick to this lifestyle I needed to allow myself to live.  I have certain rules that I stick to.  If I know I am going out to eat I make it a rule that I have to exercise that day.  If I know I am going out to eat or endulging that weekend I will be really good all week and make sure to exercise.  To me it's about making myself earn that meal.  

I always enjoy the meal more when I don't feel guilty about it.  I can't enjoy the meal if I know that I have been bad all week and not exercised. It is different for everyone. 

This may seem foreign to others...But, it works for me. 

[philly78]

i used to use calorie king all the time and I don't eat processed foods and hardly ever go out to eat. I found it helpful because I had no idea how many calories were in any foods at all. I looked up various fruits and veggies, meats etc. I recently started using myfitnesspal to track food though and it allows me to plug in all my homemade recipes to get a more accurate picture of what I'm eating. We make everything from scratch and I am always changing recipes around so the nutrition facts with the recipes don't always work. So far I really like it! I've plugged in several smoothie recipes and specialty treat recipes such as sweet potato brownies, avocado brownies And coconut butter fudge. These aren't things we eat all the time but it is nice to indulge once in a while and not feel too guilty about it! I originally decided to use it to keep better track of how much protein I am eating and was pleasantly surprised at how much I like it. 😄