Proper way to count calories the most accurately

jlleatherman62

I count calories based on the "serving size' , is this the correct way to count?

justrollme

Not necessarily. Serving sizes can vary, sometimes a lot. Pre-packaged food single-serving sizes or things like slices of bread often do not match what they are estimated to weigh. Most packages will list the serving size with the gram weight next to it. Example: Serving size 1 slice (62 grams) and if you weigh the slice, it could end up a great deal more (and occasionally even less) than that. This is why so many people on MFP advocate the use of a simple electronic kitchen scale that weighs in grams. The more it's used, the easier it gets. There are very inexpensive ones on amazon. This one is the one I have been using, it's been great.

Alatariel75

How are you establishing the 'serving size'? Are you weighing the food so you know your serving is the right size?

rankinsect

There are tradeoffs between accuracy and ease of use. I usually do just go by servings for things where the serving is easy - one slice, one package, etc. Sure, each individual food might be off, but over time it all averages out.

I weigh things that aren't already portioned into servings.

juliet3455

@jlleatherman62 Counting Calories based on the "serving size' is miss leading as the first thing you really need to know is what Daily Calorie Count is the serving size based on? Different manufactures will use different serving sizes.

With only 43 posts it tells me you are fairly new to MFP. I recommend some good reads for you.
A few links to good reads ; Most Helpful Posts
Exercise Calories and Dietician Blog about Eating Back Exercise Calories and one about Nutrition 101:Calories.

Its a lot to digest but have been my go to when ever I have struggle.

jlleatherman62

justrollme wrote: »

Not necessarily. Serving sizes can vary, sometimes a lot. Pre-packaged food single-serving sizes or things like slices of bread often do not match what they are estimated to weigh. Most packages will list the serving size with the gram weight next to it. Example: Serving size 1 slice (62 grams) and if you weigh the slice, it could end up a great deal more (and occasionally even less) than that. This is why so many people on MFP advocate the use of a simple electronic kitchen scale that weighs in grams. The more it's used, the easier it gets. There are very inexpensive ones on amazon. This one is the one I have been using, it's been great.

Ok thank you! Yah I was just going off the packages serving size...I'll have to get a scale.

jlleatherman62

Alatariel75 wrote: »

How are you establishing the 'serving size'? Are you weighing the food so you know your serving is the right size?

No I wasn't...I was just going off the packages size

OyGeeBiv

I use "serving size" as a guideline, but not for anything else. I weigh my food in grams, and eat what I've weighed. I eat a lot of produce, and there's little point in trying to measure out exactly a "serving size" of, for example, plums or cucumbers. I'll eat a whole plum or cucumber, and account for its actual weight.

jlleatherman62

Okay so what I'm getting from everyone is that I have to literally weigh my food

capaul42

jlleatherman62 wrote: »

Okay so what I'm getting from everyone is that I have to literally weigh my food

Yup

jlleatherman62

Alright I will be buying a scale then...thanks you guys so much!

Spliner1969

When in doubt always weigh your food by grams if possible and figure based on the weight of the serving size. For instance, I buy two different flavors of protein shakes in powder. One says serving size is one scoop at 38g per scoop. The other one says one scoop is 41g per scoop but they both have the same damn scoop! So I use a food scale to weigh them so I get exactly 38g or 41g per serving. That way if I log 1 scoop or 2 scoops on MFP I know it's accurate. Usually you'll see that a "serving size" is listed as 1/2 cup or 1/4 cup but in fine print or parentheses it'll say (100g or whatever that measurement is supposed to be in grams). Go by weight and it's probably the most accurate you can get.

I have been much happier since buying a good quality food scale. It's worth the money, and will likely only cost you around $30 delivered to your door off Amazon.com.

jlleatherman62

@Spliner1969 ok sounds good. I will weight in grams and yah, the scales I was looking at ran about 30$ (which I don't mind spending) thanks so much...I've never calorie counted, so it's a bit new to me

Alluminati

Amazon has some decent ones for a low price.