Johnsonville Brats

MomMel65

Question... We had Johnsonville brats tonight. I pre-cooked them on the stovetop in water, got to a boil then just simmered them for, oh, about 30-45 minutes. Drained them and rinsed them and grilled them. There was a lot of grease on top the water, so I'm thinking the calorie count would decrease as to what's on the package. Has anyone found any good research online to let us know how much is in a brat that is par-boiled and grilled?? I just hate adding all them calories to my food diary when I know it can't be true.

Laurend224

I dont have an answer for you, but I would just log what the package says. A little overestimation of calories here will make up for an underestimation somewhere else.

I think that (I'm no expert, as I don't eat meat) meats are usually to be weighed and logged in their raw state anyway, I mean, are you going to want calories off from the steak, because some of the fat dripped into the grill?

MamaRiss

Laurend224 wrote: »

I dont have an answer for you, but I would just log what the package says. A little overestimation of calories here will make up for an underestimation somewhere else.

I think that (I'm no expert, as I don't eat meat) meats are usually to be weighed and logged in their raw state anyway, I mean, are you going to want calories off from the steak, because some of the fat dripped into the grill?

QFT. The slight over estimate of calories from the brat will simply counteract the overestimation of calories burned in exercise. It's not enough to worry about

Francl27

Just log one. Most sausages are actually heavier than what the package says anyway.

MelRC117

I think the more important question here is why you didn't boil them in beer?

lulucitron

Definitely go by the package. One of two of them would probably more than exceed your sodium needs.

my3boys424

I agree with just logging it as the package says. As for when to weigh meats I've always done it after they are cooked.

MomMel65

Okay then, will just log it and get over it. Guess I was being anal about it...but it's hard not to get nitpicky with logging my food! MelRC117--I don't drink, so no beer here

TeaBea

Kind of on topic - Honeysuckle White makes a good lower fat turkey brat (very tastey). In my area these are hard to find.

barbecuesauce

Francl27 wrote: »

Just log one. Most sausages are actually heavier than what the package says anyway.

+1

Most sausages, most bread, most granola/protein bars . . .

Lib_B

I agree that I would count according to the package. It's too hard to guess how much fat was lost. Entirely possible no more than would be lost while grilling from its raw state. Better to overestimate. And I am in agreement - simmer those bad boys in beer! (the alcohol cooks off and it makes them mighty tasty!)

jackospice

MelRC117 wrote: »

I think the more important question here is why you didn't boil them in beer?

agreed! lol. I know we're all trying to count calories and stay on track, but if we don't indulge every once in a while and not worry about some calories here and there, we are never going to stick to this. I have tried every diet out there, crash diets, 500 calorie/ day diets everything. I've finally just given up and realized that it didn't come on overnight, it's not going to come off overnight. it's a slow process and it's going to take time. so enjoy some food every once in a while. if you don't and this officially turns into a "diet", then i don't know about you, but that's when i lose interest.

Ready2Rock206

I'd think the reduction in calories if any would be extremely minimal. Just log the whole thing. If your calories are so low that just a couple matter that much you may want to re-evaluate your calorie goal - maybe you're being too aggressive with your calorie restrictions.

giantrobot_powerlifting

I'd rather over-estimate calories consumed then under-estimate calories consumed when cutting.

Need2Exerc1se

MomMel65 wrote: »

Okay then, will just log it and get over it. Guess I was being anal about it...but it's hard not to get nitpicky with logging my food! MelRC117--I don't drink, so no beer here

I think it's a valid question. Depending on whether the skin broke and how much fat cooked out, I imagine you could lose up to 1/3 of the calories in a brat. They contain a LOT of fat before cooking.

MomMel65

jackospice wrote: »

MelRC117 wrote: »

I think the more important question here is why you didn't boil them in beer?

agreed! lol. I know we're all trying to count calories and stay on track, but if we don't indulge every once in a while and not worry about some calories here and there, we are never going to stick to this. I have tried every diet out there, crash diets, 500 calorie/ day diets everything. I've finally just given up and realized that it didn't come on overnight, it's not going to come off overnight. it's a slow process and it's going to take time. so enjoy some food every once in a while. if you don't and this officially turns into a "diet", then i don't know about you, but that's when i lose interest.

Yes, I've been down the "diet" road more times than I'd like to remember. This time feels different...the DESIRE to change is there, and change has come so easy!! I don't do added sugar, pretty much avoid it where possible...watching carbs but not cutting them out - making smarter carb choices! I joined PF, got help from a trainer and started a cardio program and a free weights program. Three weeks in and am down 22 lb. Woo-Hoo! I do eat when I'm hungry and enjoy every bit of it, I don't starve myself, I just make wiser choices about what goes in, hanging around 1700 to 1800 calories a day. But back to the brat/fat issue... I love brats and will eat them no matter what, but if I can whack off calories because of that loss of fat/grease in the precook stage, I will happily consume them calories somewhere else -LOL

jmule24

nakedraygun wrote: »

I'd rather over-estimate calories consumed then under-estimate calories consumed when cutting.

You shouldn't be giving advice about cutting sir........ lulz

With that said, I agree with @nakedraygun ....

cwolfman13

log it as per the package....don't try to get cute with this stuff.

MomMel65

cwolfman13 wrote: »

log it as per the package....don't try to get cute with this stuff.

I do log it per the package because there's nothing hard and true about calorie loss with precooking. And I'm not "getting cute with this stuff" - just was curious if anyone had researched it more than I had. Snarky comments like "getting cute" - that will turn people away from asking questions on the message boards. We're all here for the same goal, to be healthy and well, and nobody should be made to feel like a DA for asking a question.