Don't Trust Labels. Weigh your protein bars.
SeanD2407
Posts: 139 Member
You have to weigh everything. Those Quest bars that are labeled as 190 calories could be as high as 240 if you weigh it. While it may not seem like much 50 calories here, another 50 there, really adds up.
What are some other things that should be weighted and not estimated that you are guilty of?
Me im guilty of assuming every Banana is 105 calories.
Be honest everyone look at yesterday's journal and see if there is something that may not be 100% accurate. Pre packed items are likely culprits. Or protein that you scoop as opposed to weigh.
What are some other things that should be weighted and not estimated that you are guilty of?
Me im guilty of assuming every Banana is 105 calories.
Be honest everyone look at yesterday's journal and see if there is something that may not be 100% accurate. Pre packed items are likely culprits. Or protein that you scoop as opposed to weigh.
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Replies
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For me, every banana was 121 calories, lol. That also wasn't accurate. I stick my blender on the scale now for convenience. Although, it really depends on the food whether it's a perfect weigh every time or just a "safe" average. Frozen foods are often overfilled so I generally always have to log for overages.4
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PEANUT BUTTER!!! I carefully weigh out 32 grams. Otherwise, my "two tablespoons" is likely double.2
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I'm guilty with cheese, and I should be because cheese is so calorie dense!
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Frozen meals and ice cream bars. I weigh everything else, but the meals and bars are a pain to weigh so I just assume they are overfilled and add an extra calorie buffer.0
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This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.4 -
diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.2 -
When I was tracking I don't think I've ever weighed a protein bar or something in a single serve package, or even an egg, slice of toast, bun, sausage, pre-made burger etc. Maybe I overestimate elsewhere, it all seemed to even out in the end, for me at least. But sounds like a good idea for many to check it just in case especially if the scale is stalling.11
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It NEVER occurred to me to weigh my bars
. Dangit. I know that a lot of prepackaged stuff is inaccurate, but I guess I wanted to believe that those weren't. I have to weigh my frozen berries and my yoghurt. It won't boost the calories super high, but like you said, 50 here, 50 there. And with a 250 cal deficit, there's not room for that kind of error. 3 -
When I was tracking I don't think I've ever weighed a protein bar or something in a single serve package, or even an egg, slice of toast, bun, sausage, pre-made burger etc. Maybe I overestimate elsewhere, it all seemed to even out in the end, for me at least. But sounds like a good idea for many to check it just in case especially if the scale is stalling.
It evened out most of the time for me, too. I still don't weigh pre-sliced bread, especially since I get the low-calorie type, but if my weight started stalling, I would start. It also helps that I live alone and therefore generally eat the whole portion of things, so it often evens out.5 -
every single packaged "bread" item!!!! they are ALL so off!! sliced bread, sliders, bagels, you name it... they are all incredibly off... I weight them all now and the difference is often over extra 40%!!!!7
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every single packaged "bread" item!!!! they are ALL so off!! sliced bread, sliders, bagels, you name it... they are all incredibly off... I weight them all now and the difference is often over extra 40%!!!!
The tagline for Joseph's wraps is "we don't cut corners!" and boy, they sure don't, lol. Serving size is 56g, I think the LOWEST weigh I've gotten on one of those wraps is 61g. Still love them, just gotta log them accurately.1 -
RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.18 -
diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have shows like Secret Eaters. A whole show dedicated to how in denial people are about what they eat. Even I, proclaimer of honesty, have gotten the biggest pizza slice out of the box but only logged it as one slice. I only get away with it because I rarely have restaurant pizza, but if I did that could eat my whole deficit.11 -
RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have shows like Secret Eaters. A whole show dedicated to how in denial people are about what they eat. Even I, proclaimer of honesty, have gotten the biggest pizza slice out of the box but only logged it as one slice. I only get away with it because I rarely have restaurant pizza, but if I did that could eat my whole deficit.
I always eat the piece that is the best mix of big and cheesy.
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quiksylver296 wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have shows like Secret Eaters. A whole show dedicated to how in denial people are about what they eat. Even I, proclaimer of honesty, have gotten the biggest pizza slice out of the box but only logged it as one slice. I only get away with it because I rarely have restaurant pizza, but if I did that could eat my whole deficit.
I always eat the piece that is the best mix of big and cheesy.
Indeed, the more cheese, the better.2 -
diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
I feel like Avocados can be a problem too if not weighted correctly0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
I feel like Avocados can be a problem too if not weighted correctly
I have definitely eaten 1/3 of my daily calories in avocado without trying. They go down easy, and just like bananas, my grocery store has got those biggun avocados.1 -
RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
Secret Eaters. .
where do i find this show?
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RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
Secret Eaters. .
where do i find this show?
I watched it on youtube, haha. It's a UK-based show.2 -
I am a lazy weigher -- the things I weigh are like granola and chocolate chips and nuts. The things I know that "one little handful" is a slippery slope. If I were more disciplined, I would weigh everything, but I am lazy and okay with the weight loss being less than consistent as long as it is consistently going down. XD
My prepackaged snacks will just have to keep their secrets! (But it is a good practice to do it to see how much is really in things. I did it once so I could see and it was eye opening).2 -
dhiammarath wrote: »I am a lazy weigher -- the things I weigh are like granola and chocolate chips and nuts. The things I know that "one little handful" is a slippery slope. If I were more disciplined, I would weigh everything, but I am lazy and okay with the weight loss being less than consistent as long as it is consistently going down. XD
My prepackaged snacks will just have to keep their secrets! (But it is a good practice to do it to see how much is really in things. I did it once so I could see and it was eye opening).
I'm also a big fan of the "do it once or twice to see" and then trusting that it's always going to be about that. The less calorie-dense it is, the more likely I'm going to be "eh, good enough" on accuracy. Three slices of tomato? 50grams or so, good enough. The impact of inaccuracy is really what it boils down to for me. I could throw another handful of spinach on no harm no foul, but a handful of cheese? Nahhhhh9 -
I have a habit of just grabbing a few cashews every time I walk through the kitchen. I don't bother weighing them and of course they are all different sizes. How much do they weigh? I don't know, I just enter the random "cashews" entry. Oh well.4
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It's great info for all the "i log everything but am not losing weight and it's been 3 weeks" sorta times. and those who lean towards a lot of prepackaged items.
we can all get away with fudging and lazy weighing for awhile (maybe a long while) but I guess if things don't get moving for me i'll need to do this too (though I don't eat much prepackaged per say...my jello cup i guess. sometimes frozen yogurt bar...)
I do weight the beef jerky i eat and find there is often less in the packages (like 60-61grams VS 62 it says).I weight mostly to ensure i have two similar portions though not to be more diligent.3 -
RelCanonical wrote: »dhiammarath wrote: »I am a lazy weigher -- the things I weigh are like granola and chocolate chips and nuts. The things I know that "one little handful" is a slippery slope. If I were more disciplined, I would weigh everything, but I am lazy and okay with the weight loss being less than consistent as long as it is consistently going down. XD
My prepackaged snacks will just have to keep their secrets! (But it is a good practice to do it to see how much is really in things. I did it once so I could see and it was eye opening).
I'm also a big fan of the "do it once or twice to see" and then trusting that it's always going to be about that. The less calorie-dense it is, the more likely I'm going to be "eh, good enough" on accuracy. Three slices of tomato? 50grams or so, good enough. The impact of inaccuracy is really what it boils down to for me. I could throw another handful of spinach on no harm no foul, but a handful of cheese? Nahhhhh
Exactly this. Cheese is lyfe. XD2 -
As long as I'm losing, I'm not weighing things like protein bars or ice cream bars or any other things that already have calories listed. I don't want to make losing weight even more difficult and tedious for myself if it isn't necessary. If I were stalling, I'd get anal about weighing everything. But, for now, what I'm doing is working well and I don't need to weigh already packaged food.11
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I eat a lot of protein bars, they're one of my most recent obsessions. In fact I'm eating one as I write this, haha. The only time I weigh them is if I'm only going to eat half of one. I've found that they're only 2 or 3 grams off one direction or the other sometimes. And it seems a little obsessive to me to worry about that unless you're going to eat less than the full bar.3
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Hi, can I ask do you weigh meat and fish before or after you cook them. I think the cooking changes the weight.0
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dianerobinson826 wrote: »Hi, can I ask do you weigh meat and fish before or after you cook them. I think the cooking changes the weight.
I weigh everything before cooking. When you cook it you mostly just evaluate the liquids, so all the calories are still there even though the food got smaller. 😎0 -
RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have shows like Secret Eaters. A whole show dedicated to how in denial people are about what they eat. Even I, proclaimer of honesty, have gotten the biggest pizza slice out of the box but only logged it as one slice. I only get away with it because I rarely have restaurant pizza, but if I did that could eat my whole deficit.
I go for the one with the least crust. I'm not wasting my yummy pizza on a half pound of plain dough.4 -
RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »This is a good reminder, thanks!
One I'll always remember was sweet potatoes. MFP and I have very different ideas about what a "medium" potato looks like and it was a real shock when I started logging them by weight instead of using the size estimates.
Also italiansausage links. I bought a pack once that gave the calorie estimates based on links that weighed 82 grams. Every link in that package was over 100 grams when I weighed them. It was a huge calorie difference.
Yes indeed, large bananas for me were probably more like extra large bananas most of the time, and extra large for me was like, not even a thing in MFP. My grocery store gets biggun bananas.
I will never forget a poster we had on the boards once who proclaimed that a small banana is only 90 calories and she always bought the biggest bananas she could find so that she got more banana for those 90 calories. I'm not sure she ever realized her mistake.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have shows like Secret Eaters. A whole show dedicated to how in denial people are about what they eat. Even I, proclaimer of honesty, have gotten the biggest pizza slice out of the box but only logged it as one slice. I only get away with it because I rarely have restaurant pizza, but if I did that could eat my whole deficit.
I go for the one with the least crust. I'm not wasting my yummy pizza on a half pound of plain dough.
I like the crust. I used to eat my friends' crusts in school. Was not surprised I was overweight lol.1
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