Lunch calories - help!

HM2206

This might be a familiar problem to many, but it is new to me

I recently landed my dream job - hurrah - and it comes with a fantastic cantine. For the first time I have lunch completely included, for a small deductable in my salary. It is both much tasties than the lunch I had before, economic, plus I'm making an effort to be social with my new coworkers and eat lunch together every day. I have shifted from eating smaller meals throughout the day, to eating a big lunch, since that's how it's done here and I have meetings all day.

But a new issue arises - how do I count the calories now? I used to be able to buy each item at the store and log it, now it's a bit more difficult.

The good news is that the food is quite healthy. They usually have one 'main dish' which might be slightly higher in calories, but also a variety of salads and veggies of many kinds, and sometimes seafood. I need some more protein though, so I usually help myself to some meat, like stew which they had today.

I tried to "exaggerate" when I logged my lunch, and went to the gym later today. But I am worried I will go way over budget without knowing it!

Any advice?

quiksylver296

Can you check with the cantina staff and see if they have nutrition info for their stuff?

toxikon

That's pretty tricky. Maybe just eyeballing would help.

Here's what I'd do:

- Skip breakfast all-together
- Enjoy one plate of food at lunch with a good balance of protein, veggies and carbs and pull a number out of my head for the calorie count (anywhere from 500-900 cals depending on what you choose)
- Log dinner, trying to balance your daily calorie goal against your guess of what you ate for lunch

Monitor your weigh-ins closely and how you feel. If you're hungry, eat a little more the next day. If your weight begins to creep up over the month, cut back your portion a bit.

jeichelb83

I second asking the staff if they have the nutrition info available. The cafeteria at my work has it on their website. If not, note everything you ate and search for it in the food diary. Then choose the one with the highest calories just be safe.

Francl27

I'd eyeball and adjust your calories if needed after a month.

ceolyn

My work offers something similar.

My approach has been to take a moderate serving of whatever veg dish looks healthiest (not a lot of oil/ not fried/ etc.) the kitchen is especially fond of roasted root veggies, and a small serving of a protein (usually some kind of grilled or baked chicken or turkey dish). When I've finished my veg and protein I'll go back for seconds at the salad bar and load my plate up with lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, mushrooms, and carrots. Dress with a small amount of balsamic vinegar, and no oil.

I then log to the best of my ability and try to over estimate by about 15-20%. So if I think served myself 4oz of roasted chicken thigh, I'll log 5oz. So far, this has worked fairly well and I've been steadily losing.

YMMV of course, and as others have mentioned up thread, its worth asking of the kitchen has any nutritional information on the dishes they're preparing.