How do you log when there is no nutritional info?

easjer
easjer Posts: 219 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not often flummoxed by this, because I don't eat out enough at places you can't get nutritional data or approximate nutritional data, but tonight will be one of those nights. My mom is taking me out as a late birthday celebration and I'm not planning to restrict anything. I've already checked online and the only nutritional info is user guesses at several sites that are unrealistically low (oddly, I don't think an 8 oz bacon wrapped filet cooked in butter and served with a sauce is only 300 calories...).

I know one day isn't going to blow my progress (I've had a late breakfast and we're eating an early dinner, so 2 meals instead of 3, I'm about to take my family to the park where my husband and daughter will hit the play area while I walk/jog laps, mom and I are going to the mall for some people watching and shopping, and I'm going 30DS when the kiddo is in bed tonight, so I'm much more active than usual on a Saturday).

Throw in a quick cal add way above what I think the meal will be (like, 2500 or something)? Painstakingly try to approximate while knowing I can't verify serving size or ingredients? Shrug and try not to enter everything and remember my deficit is going to be off today/this week?

Replies

  • Dwamma
    Dwamma Posts: 289 Member
    Sometime I am able to Google the website of the restaurant I will be eating at and get their nutritional information. When that does not work, I as for the nutritional information before I order. That gives me a clear picture of what I will be eating. IF that does not work either....well then to the best of my ability i log each individual ingredient into my daily food diary.
    But it sounds like you have a great plan and no matter what you should not be affected by this one meal! So enjoy! Happy Birthday!

    Go make some great memories with your family!
    Blessings!
  • DrJenO
    DrJenO Posts: 404 Member
    I try to order things that have fewer ingredients, to make it easier to estimate. Grilled meats without sauces, nothing fried, get the Caesar dressing on the side, that kind of thing.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Most of the restaurants I go to are like that. All I've figured out to do is log the major ingredients based on eyeballed size, erring on the generous size, and then add in extra olive oil or, especially, butter, depending on the dish, since you know they add it.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Ask questions. Such as Texas Roadhouse I asked what the serving size is on the salmon as its not posted on the menu. Whether its 6 or 8 oz makes a difference, and gives me something to go on. Think of the meal as a sum of its ingredients and approximate the best you can. :)
  • Cortelli
    Cortelli Posts: 1,369 Member
    It's all an estimate -- ALL of it, even the foods that are seemingly very straightforward. So just do your best to estimate it.
    I've already checked online and the only nutritional info is user guesses at several sites that are unrealistically low (oddly, I don't think an 8 oz bacon wrapped filet cooked in butter and served with a sauce is only 300 calories...).

    So there you go --

    beef, top loin, 8 oz
    bacon, applewood smoked (1 or 2 slices?)
    butter, 1 tbsp
    sauce (need to know what kind) - guestimate it.

    And you're well on your way!

    It won't ever be perfect, but don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

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