Im being taken out for lunch

workout_ninja

My mum is taking me out for lunch tomorrow. I know the menu of the place we are going as they have it online but there is no calorie count on the menu. I phone the pub and asked if they knew and I was told "we dont do calorie counting but you can google it" what the frack? How do i calorie count my lunch tomorrow?? heeeeeelp!

links_slayer

Just use your best guess and find something similar in the database. 1 meal isn't going to be the end of the world....

MelissaPhippsFeagins

Just use your best guess and find something similar in the database. 1 meal isn't going to be the end of the world....

This. Sometimes it's the best you can do. It's lunch with your mother, enjoy it without stressing about the calories.

melaniecheeks

Don't panic- one meal I'd not going to ruin your diet, and many places don't give nutritional info, as it's very hard to be consistent about portion size and content.

You can just do a quick add of 1000 and not worry about it.

Or order a grilled fish or chicken. Steak is good too. The big calorie counts will come from sauces, fries, rice, bread, batter, and desserts. Choose something low in those, and your body won't care what you've recorded on mfp.

erinxo13

I just look for something similar in the database and log that. Usually most things will be within 50-100 calories of each other and I pick an average. Don't worry about not getting the exact amount...and enjoy lunch with your mum!

howardheilweil

Most non-chain restaurants do not have nutritional information. You just need to do your best. I find that looking for uncomplicated dishes is best. Foods with sauces, etc.... could be difficult to estimate and likely very high calorie.

FP4HSharon

It's great that you know where and you know the menu. Here's a link for a lot of chain calorie counts. I'd just look for something similar if the restaurant isn't one that's listed. I went to Abuelo's (Mexican chain) the other day & they didn't have the calories available either. If the restaurant has a website, then you could check there too.

http://www.nutritionix.com/restaurants
http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/home

Here's an article on how to eat healthy when eating out...
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/tips-for-eating-out.html

If you give us the name of the restaurant & what city, or restaurant website if you know it, then we could look & make some recommendations.

laursoar

I always find this scary too. When I usually end up in these types of situations lately though, I realize that I'm developing a good idea what portion sizes and foods are healthier choices (using most of the tips others mentioned). Another good way to cut down on restaurant calories is to only eat half of your portion served as calories often tend to be double a hearty homemade dinner.

workout_ninja

Thank you for your replies - I know I should just enjoy it but Ive done so well on my journey so far and want to keep that momentum going. It is just a little pub in my home town. No chain. I had a look at the websites recommended for hints and tips and they were a great help. I will choose what I want before I go and just make good choices :happy:

teamAmelia

LOL. "Google it." Because everyone makes that meal the same way. They even make it the same way using exact ingredients each time. LOL. But, I *would* Google it and maybe add a few extra calories bc you don't know how much extra whatever they put in their food.

amandatapar

I choose grilled chicken, salmon or steak and a side of steamed broccoli or a baked sweet potato plain or something similar. I skip appetizers, bread, rice because it adds too many calories. That way you can find something similar in the data base and be close. I also make sure and ask how they cook it and if they add butter , etc I ask that they not use it.

Contrarian

Even if the restaurant gave you the calorie count, it would still be an estimate. As others have said, just use something similar in the database and don't stress. Just have a nice time with your mother.

taunto

do what they said. Google it and try to get the best guestimate you get. Try to get an estimate of the closest thing you can find on google for the calories.

Many MANY dishes are not on MFP database and there is no way of getting calories for them since the amount of ingredients/oil/butter etc is changed everytime. Most Asian recipes are not part of the database (or at least are incredibly untrustworthy) due to this fact.