Accurate calories in local chains

Ajocal18
Ajocal18 Posts: 167 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Alright so I have a local chain that makes Americanized Mexican food. I love to get a beef and bean wet burrito. It consist of refried beans , beef ,a tortilla, lettuce , and of course meat sauce and tons of gooey cheese on top. I try to estimate the calories and typically only eat half but I'm concerned its upwards of 2,000 calories. when I enter the ingredients in MFP it comes up to about 1,000 however I'm not sure exactly how everything is made. Any suggestions ?

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Is there a chain that makes something like that? Sometimes I will use the calorie information from a chain in order to make an estimate for places without calorie information.

    If you can't find something, I would find the individual ingredients in the database, make sure to choose the options with the higher calorie ranges, and go from there. A beef and bean wet burrito (especially with lots of cheese) probably is close to your guess.
  • murp4069
    murp4069 Posts: 494 Member
    I agree with the above. I've found that I eat at very few restaurants that post their nutritional content online. My first step is to search for something similar in the database, choose one of the higher calorie options, and log it that way. If necessary, I break it down by ingredient or, based on the knowledge I do have from cooking and reviewing other entries, I make my high end calorie guesstimate and log it as a quick add. So far this strategy has worked well for me.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Adding: the amount of effort I put into this depends on how often I plan to eat something. If I ate this burrito infrequently, I would go with a quick estimate. If I want to eat something more frequently, I will put more effort in. I've even asked at some places (Something like "I'm a calorie counter and I have a couple of questions about how this is prepared so I can estimate the calories. Would you mind getting some information from the chef for me?" to the server has worked really well in some places).
  • Ajocal18
    Ajocal18 Posts: 167 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Adding: the amount of effort I put into this depends on how often I plan to eat something. If I ate this burrito infrequently, I would go with a quick estimate. If I want to eat something more frequently, I will put more effort in. I've even asked at some places (Something like "I'm a calorie counter and I have a couple of questions about how this is prepared so I can estimate the calories. Would you mind getting some information from the chef for me?" to the server has worked really well in some places).

    I was actually considering asking but didn't want to sound like a weirdo! At least I know I'm not the only one ☺
  • Ajocal18
    Ajocal18 Posts: 167 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Is there a chain that makes something like that? Sometimes I will use the calorie information from a chain in order to make an estimate for places without calorie information.

    If you can't find something, I would find the individual ingredients in the database, make sure to choose the options with the higher calorie ranges, and go from there. A beef and bean wet burrito (especially with lots of cheese) probably is close to your guess.

    Well my understanding wet burrittos are a regional thing started in michigan. I love them but no chains really serve them.
  • Ajocal18
    Ajocal18 Posts: 167 Member
    amyrebeccah wrote: »
    Here's one from Indiana.
    http://www.lasenorita.com/menus/food/burritos/14-menu-items/67-wet-burrito

    Here's one from taco bell.
    http://www.brandeating.com/2013/07/news-taco-bell-new-smothered-burrito.html

    One from LA.
    http://menu.ha.ucla.edu/foodpro/recipedetail.asp?RecipeNumber=071138&PortionSize=1

    Thanks
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Adding: the amount of effort I put into this depends on how often I plan to eat something. If I ate this burrito infrequently, I would go with a quick estimate. If I want to eat something more frequently, I will put more effort in. I've even asked at some places (Something like "I'm a calorie counter and I have a couple of questions about how this is prepared so I can estimate the calories. Would you mind getting some information from the chef for me?" to the server has worked really well in some places).

    Hm...my mom works in a restaurant. I doubt if restaurant chef is willing to hand out their secrets which your question sounds like..

    If you frequent this place a lot, get a takeout home. Do an anatomy on the food and weigh all the parts.

Categories