How to determine calories in my food?

MatrixGravity
MatrixGravity Posts: 55
in Getting Started
We recently started buying healthy food from our local supermarket that comes prepared in plastic containers. Problem is, there aren't any labels on the food so there is no way of knowing how many calories are inside. So what do I do in this situation? How can I find out the calorie content without any labels? I've been half-guessing and estimating so far but I don't know how accurate my guesses are.

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • hastingsmassage
    hastingsmassage Posts: 162 Member
    is it ready food? why? buy more vegetables, just search in MFP. all is here...
  • MatrixGravity
    MatrixGravity Posts: 55
    is it ready food? why? buy more vegetables, just search in MFP. all is here...

    Yes. Prepared food. Salads, Pasta, Chicken Wings, Wraps, etc.
  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member
    Yes. Prepared food. Salads, Pasta, Chicken Wings, Wraps, etc.
    buying those types of prepared foods makes it very difficult to determine calorie counts. Salads you can probable estimate based on the amount of each thing, but anything that is cooked, you don't know if it's cooked in oil or what ingredients are in sauces and dressings. Wraps (i mean just the wrap part) vary SO much in calories. I've seen 50 calorie and I've seen 350+ calorie. When I get chicken wings, I find something similar in the database, and then guess on the high side, just in case.
  • KimberlyinMN
    KimberlyinMN Posts: 302 Member
    Have you asked at the grocery store if they have any nutritional information for their deli offerings? Is this something that they are selling as "healthy"?
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    I do not really go off of MFP. Too many people put way to many variance of cals for foods. Research by googling and look at various sites and then come to your own conclusion. Not that hard to figure out.

    Below if you are in USA is the USDA database.

    http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list

    However what will make it tricky is if the food comes with gravies, sauces already prepared with it. But I'm assuming its in raw form if you are saying "healthy food."
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Just seen your answer above. Hmmmm... ask the them. They have to have some ideal the nutritional information and word of advice do not buy anything that is already prepared if it doesn't come with nutritional info. You may think its healthy but a lot of times that kind of food is packed with calories.
  • IvoryParchment
    IvoryParchment Posts: 651 Member
    A lot of local supermarkets are affiliated with large chains that provide standard recipes for their prepared foods. You might be able to call their consumer hotline and be given information. What supermarket is it?

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