Entering meals on MFP

boymommy3x
boymommy3x Posts: 36 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have ideas for meals for dinner etc, and when I type them in, I get a list of like...5,000 different options, all of them with different calorie counts etc!! Is there a way for me to select the "proper" one or at least the one that's closest to what I am actually eating? Hah.

Replies

  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    enter the actual ingredients, not the meal
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    And when you enter the ingredients, the numbers should match -- or be very, very close to -- what's on the package or at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods
  • MarMcGrath
    MarMcGrath Posts: 58 Member
    When you're adding your meals:

    - If you're using something packaged (Quinoa, Rice, Low Cal dressings, etc) type the brand name in first! For example: Kraft - Light Ranch dressing.

    This should give you a pretty accurate list to choose from. To ensure even further accuracy, compare the serving size listed to the serving size on your food package, or just go ahead and select it and see how many calories/fat/sugars/etc come up in your food diary (you can always edit or remove if its not the right one).

    - For Organic/Whole/Fresh ingredients it can be a little more dicey.

    Be sure that you are selecting the way its cooked (for example: Zuchinni, you could select raw, fried, baked, boiled (ew) or any number of options). Normally I will select "Generic - Brocolli" or "Generic - Spinach" if there is no label associating the items with a brand.

    I recommend getting yourself a good set of measuring spoons/cups (cheap from the dollar store) as well. Takes the guessing out when you're preparing things.

    If you're still really unsure, just note when you're looking at your totals at the end of the day that the item you're not sure of could be an overestimation or an underestimation! The totals are really a guide, they wont always be the most accurate.
  • boymommy3x
    boymommy3x Posts: 36 Member
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    And when you enter the ingredients, the numbers should match -- or be very, very close to -- what's on the package or at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods

    I was gonna make tater tot casserole for dinner so that's a bunch of veggies, soup, meat, and tots. I just want to get my numbers as close to correct as possible.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    mamarissy wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    And when you enter the ingredients, the numbers should match -- or be very, very close to -- what's on the package or at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods

    I was gonna make tater tot casserole for dinner so that's a bunch of veggies, soup, meat, and tots. I just want to get my numbers as close to correct as possible.

    Use the recipe builder!
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Queenmunchy wrote: »
    mamarissy wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    And when you enter the ingredients, the numbers should match -- or be very, very close to -- what's on the package or at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods

    I was gonna make tater tot casserole for dinner so that's a bunch of veggies, soup, meat, and tots. I just want to get my numbers as close to correct as possible.

    Use the recipe builder!

    Especially if it's something you'll make more than once.

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