Going out to eat and counting macros

KC5115

What is the best way to incorporate going out to dinner into your day? I weigh all my food and it seems like a weird thing to do at a dinner table in the middle of a restaurant.

_John_

best to save some calories and use approximations from chain restaurants who have calorie counts for similar meals when unsure.

mistikal13

Guesstimate

EmmaFitzwilliam

I guess. If I'm at a restaurant that publishes their nutrition menu, I use that number. If there is a number in the database, I assess the probable accuracy and use it, or not, accordingly.

You develop a sense for how many calories are in foods, and how large a portion may be.

wolverine66

i look at the nutrition info from the website (if there is one) and pre-log to make sure it fits. that said, i'm going to cheddars tonight and cheddars doesn't have nutritional info so they can stick it.

ForeverSunshine09

Cheddar's casual cafe?
If that is who you are talking about they definitely have nutritonal info I have seen in a few different places. Their chicken strips are the best!

KC5115

I killed my yesterday by going out to eat. My nutritionist pushes that I shouldn't have cheat days But eat what I want as long as it fits. But I haven't quite mastered that yet.

KC5115

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

Francl27

I guesstimate.

cwolfman13

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

Justthisgirl1994

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

Since the amount of macros is based on the amount of calories someone is aiming to consume, then that calorie deficit will automatically be met when the macros are met. So basically being in a calorie deficit (or surplus or maintenance - depending on what your calculations are based on) is a side effect of meeting macros.

To OP, sorry I don't really have any tips. Just look at what sounds healthy (baked instead of fried etc) and eat only half of it. Also do a good effective workout the morning of just in case you do end up over.

cwolfman13

Justthisgirl1994 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

Since the amount of macros is based on the amount of calories someone is aiming to consume, then that calorie deficit will automatically be met when the macros are met. So basically being in a calorie deficit (or surplus or maintenance - depending on what your calculations are based on) is a side effect of meeting macros.

To OP, sorry I don't really have any tips. Just look at what sounds healthy (baked instead of fried etc) and eat only half of it. Also do a good effective workout the morning of just in case you do end up over.

yeah, i'm well aware of that...but it's a lot easier to hit one number (calories) than having to hit three bang on. IMO, people put a lot of effort and stress into hitting their macros when in reality, for the vast majority of people, using them as a general guide is more than sufficient. I find that people are oddly obsessed with their macros.

to boot, for a meal out, I'm not going to try to hit my macros bang on...seems like a lot of effort for not a whole lot in return.

Dawn_Snowden

I use the nutrition menu and order carefully. I usually order off menu -- a grilled protein (chicken or steak) and a steamed vegetable. I skip the bread basket altogether, and drink unsweetened ice tea. It's rare to find a restaurant that can't handle simple foods.

sweetteadrinker2

It really depends where you're going, a place like dennys is easier because you can get a grilled chicken breast and some brocolli with a small scoop of mashed potatoes or another veggie. Chinese places....forget trying to figure the macros!

KC5115

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

I have counted calories for years. It never helped me. Now that I am counting macros, it helps make sure my body is getting the right amounts of what it needs. It has really helped me.

KC5115

Dawn_Snowden wrote: »

I use the nutrition menu and order carefully. I usually order off menu -- a grilled protein (chicken or steak) and a steamed vegetable. I skip the bread basket altogether, and drink unsweetened ice tea. It's rare to find a restaurant that can't handle simple foods.

It really is! I get weird looks when I ask them to "dull" it down haha. I want to be like well its less work, just go with it!

KC5115

Justthisgirl1994 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

Since the amount of macros is based on the amount of calories someone is aiming to consume, then that calorie deficit will automatically be met when the macros are met. So basically being in a calorie deficit (or surplus or maintenance - depending on what your calculations are based on) is a side effect of meeting macros.

To OP, sorry I don't really have any tips. Just look at what sounds healthy (baked instead of fried etc) and eat only half of it. Also do a good effective workout the morning of just in case you do end up over.

Good point! A workout should definitely be something that gets done that day.

Francl27

KC5115 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

I have counted calories for years. It never helped me. Now that I am counting macros, it helps make sure my body is getting the right amounts of what it needs. It has really helped me.

I'm not getting this... Why don't you just do both?

ASKyle

Francl27 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

I have counted calories for years. It never helped me. Now that I am counting macros, it helps make sure my body is getting the right amounts of what it needs. It has really helped me.

I'm not getting this... Why don't you just do both?

This... by counting macros, aren't you by default counting calories?

i.e. carbs = 4cal/g, protein= 4cal/g, fat= 9cal/g?

KC5115

Francl27 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

I have counted calories for years. It never helped me. Now that I am counting macros, it helps make sure my body is getting the right amounts of what it needs. It has really helped me.

I'm not getting this... Why don't you just do both?

You don't really have to do both. By the time I pre-plan my day, it pretty much equals what my calorie intake should be anyways. I like counting macros because for me personally it helps me pay attention to the choices I make. You can fill calories with anything. By having an example a protein goal to hit, I am going to make the choice to eat fish to fill it over eating pasta which would shoot my carbs up. It just helps me balance what I eat versus just eating like I did before.

KC5115

ASKyle wrote: »

Francl27 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

KC5115 wrote: »

I don't count calories though so that's not something that helps me. I count grams of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber. Unfortunately going out to eat kills my carbs and fats for the day pretty quickly.

so you don't count what is actually the most important aspect of weight control?

also, nutritional information on line usually has macro breakdowns as well as calorie.

I have counted calories for years. It never helped me. Now that I am counting macros, it helps make sure my body is getting the right amounts of what it needs. It has really helped me.

I'm not getting this... Why don't you just do both?

This... by counting macros, aren't you by default counting calories?

i.e. carbs = 4cal/g, protein= 4cal/g, fat= 9cal/g?

Yes maam! My calories always end up being really close by the time I hit those numbers! I am almost dead on everyday, which is actually a lot better than I used to do. Seems like I was always way under or over.