counting calories?

margabale
margabale Posts: 5 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello Everyone:

My first time posting! My question is what the consensus on counting the calories that one's meal is cooked in? For example, if one cooks a pancake in butter, would the pat of butter be included in the total caloric intake? I've been including the coconut oil in my count, but I want to see if most do the same or am I cheating myself out of some precious calories? Thanks...

Replies

  • kittykat1994
    kittykat1994 Posts: 149 Member
    I always count it! You do consume a lot of the butter for example that you cook with as your pancake for example, the butter gets into the batter etc. in the pan.
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    I would enter it. Better yet get a non stick spray to use for things like that the 5 second mist is 0 cals (or so it says on the can)
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Yup, log it! Pat of butter, teaspoon of oil, dipping sauces and condiments, all of them!
  • Nyx2012
    Nyx2012 Posts: 11 Member
    I count what oils and butters things have been cooked in because they do soak into the food, and as you can never tell how much has actually soaked in I find it better to count it all and maybe lose a couple of calories to being wrong that not counting them and being further off with my count.
  • rainydays5
    rainydays5 Posts: 217 Member
    Maybe its wrong but I don't log them. I usually over estimate whatever else I am eating to make up for it. I know that if I add a tbs of olive oil to a pan with some veggies that I am not eating all of those calories, some of them yes. So I feel over estimating my other foods a tad bit make up for it.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Maybe its wrong but I don't log them. I usually over estimate whatever else I am eating to make up for it. I know that if I add a tbs of olive oil to a pan with some veggies that I am not eating all of those calories, some of them yes. So I feel over estimating my other foods a tad bit make up for it.

    It depends on the veggie. How do you overestimate spinach to make up for one tablespoon of oil (120 calories)? You would have to multiply some veggies by 10 and I'm guessing this isn't how you overestimate. I'd recommend doing it right a couple times just to see the numbers. If you're still convinced these items are sub-10 calorie items for example , then you'll have your answer and it'll make sense not to log them. :) I don't always log the couple nibbles of baby carrots I snack on, for example
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Yes, you need to log cooking oils.

    Log everything you eat [edited to add: and drink!] accurately & honestly. Every thing. Doing otherwise will not get you closer to your goal.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • MadTownD
    MadTownD Posts: 149 Member
    I would check the box and see if it says "as prepared" -- and then see if the directions include using an oil to cook in. I would say that most of the time, it's not included in the calories, and you should add it. Although, if I use 1 Tbsp of butter to cook two pancaked, and there's a bit left in the pan, I log it as .5 servings, or .75 servings. Something like that. :smile:
  • craftywitch_63
    craftywitch_63 Posts: 829 Member
    Hello Everyone:

    My first time posting! My question is what the consensus on counting the calories that one's meal is cooked in? For example, if one cooks a pancake in butter, would the pat of butter be included in the total caloric intake? I've been including the coconut oil in my count, but I want to see if most do the same or am I cheating myself out of some precious calories? Thanks...

    I count it! If it's my recipe, I'll put it in the "Recipes" tab. The cooking oil, butter, etc. would become part of the recipe. If it's not counted I can't keep an accurate count.
  • jmv7117
    jmv7117 Posts: 891 Member
    Hello Everyone:

    My first time posting! My question is what the consensus on counting the calories that one's meal is cooked in? For example, if one cooks a pancake in butter, would the pat of butter be included in the total caloric intake? I've been including the coconut oil in my count, but I want to see if most do the same or am I cheating myself out of some precious calories? Thanks...

    I count these types of calories because they can really add up.
  • jmv7117
    jmv7117 Posts: 891 Member
    Yes, you need to log cooking oils.

    Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Every thing. Doing otherwise will not get you closer to your goal.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Just to add - That includes dietary supplements as well. Some like flaxseed oil are 19 calories per capsule so if you are taking a lot of supplements as I am, those extra calories can make a difference.
  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    I measure and log anything that has calories, but I'm especially careful to accurately log things like butter and oil because they are very calorie dense. A tbsp of olive oil is about 120 calories, and butter is about the same. Not logging them means I'm eating an extra 100+ calories that's unaccounted for, and not measuring calorie dense foods means easily underestimating my intake. :smile:

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