Logging fruit and veg

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Replies

  • MichelleMcKeeRN
    MichelleMcKeeRN Posts: 450 Member
    If I was going to stop counting fruit and veggies, I would count them for a week and average the calories. If the average was 800 calories, I would do a daily quick add of 800 calories and then log as usual. It isn’t perfect but it would simplify things.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    I log everything. Everything has calories, and they add up. I even log water and it is the only thing with zero calories.
    What’s the point of weighing, measuring and logging calories if some things aren’t worth the effort?🤷🏻‍♀️
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    My advice to someone who is new to logging would be to weigh and log everything to start. It is an eye opener and really gives you a good feel for what is calorie dense and what isn't, and how much you eat of the less calorie dense stuff like veggies. As time goes on, you may see entries for 10-15 calories of the veggies you add to a salad or wrap and decide you don't need to log them. I would continue to log fruit no matter what. The sugars in fruit do tend to add up, as does the fiber in fruit and it is good to know if you are getting enough fiber.

    As @AnnPT77 said, weighing is really easy. Put your plate on the scale and turn it on or tare. Add the bread or wrap and tare, add the meat and tare, add the first veggie. and tare, . . . I can weigh a salad with greens and 4 different veggies in less than 30 seconds (not counting any cutting time to slice the onion or whatever). I do eyeball the greens but I log them. Onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, sprouts, etc all get weighed, as does the dressing.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    I 100% log them. Some days they make up a good portion of my overall calories. If I didn't log them then my numbers would be off. Plus, by logging them, I can see how much I am eating and can make sure I am meeting my needs and targets.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited June 2020
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    VegjoyP wrote: »
    Yes, Log everything. I log my Omega supplements, leqfy greens and celery. It adda up quick.

    I did an "experiment" for severl days (I call it expirament but now its habit) I kept track of EVERYTHING- including the one single grape at the store to see ripeness, a sinle cashew, A bite of celery, etc. At the end it was anywhere from 50 to 200 extra calories.

    If you do the most accurate logging you will understand what your body needs more accurately

    ... you stole a grape.

    Whole Foods (among others) puts out free-to-taste fruits. You made an assumption. ;)

    hahah good to know. We dont have that chain here. A guy from a grocery store in my city got fired for taste testing foods.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,281 Member
    I log everything. Everything has calories, and they add up. I even log water and it is the only thing with zero calories.
    What’s the point of weighing, measuring and logging calories if some things aren’t worth the effort?🤷🏻‍♀️


    well, the point for me is to make the process as easy and streamlined as possible whilst also getting the results I want (ie losing/maintaining my weight as expected) - so I use my discretion with logging.

    Calorie dense fruit subject to variation in amount eg dried apricots - I weigh each time.

    Items like bananas which I eat aprox same size one each time - I estimate/average and log.

    Things like a single grape a bite of celery or one slice of tomato in a sandwich - I dont bother logging at all.

    They don't add up at all significantly unless you are having larger amounts than 1 slice or bite
    It isnt worth the effort, to me.

    As always, the key is not to log as accurately as absolutely possible, unless you want to do that.

    The key is finding the level of accuracy that you are comfortable with and that works for you
  • mrtotes
    mrtotes Posts: 1 Member
    I record fruit and veg to a reasonable accuracy in the app, is there a way for MFP to report how many times I do or don't make it to the WHO recommended "5 a day" over the weeks and months?
  • stephie_nyc
    stephie_nyc Posts: 96 Member
    Yes.

    I used to weigh every dang thing I put in my mouth including my spinach. I am trying to at least get away from that but at the end of the day I know I am eating about 150 calories in fruit and veg. If you're in a 250 calorie deficit that almost wipes it out if you don't account for those foods.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I’m sure we should, but I don’t. If I did, I’d never eat them.

    I log vegetables to help me eat MORE of them. I was probably eating 25-50% less before. The bulk of veggies helps fill me up for less calories, so it is good for me to eat more of them.