Sneaky Foods

meyowtime

Since I've been tracking more lately, I've been shocked to learn about the actual calories involved in eating what I perceive to be healthier foods. For instance - today a yogurt parfait, egg beaters, turkey bacon and a apple bran muffin ended up being almost 1000 calories. Grr. Anyone else have this experience? What are the foods you avoid now?

Dedulaney

For me it's been the surprise in the amount of servings. Something I don't think is very much and should be healthy ended up being 2 or 3 servings. It racks up fast! Muffins are actually one of those things I avoid eating a lot of the time with the hidden amounts stuffed in them. Also gotta moderate the amount of nuts. As healthy as they are, just a small handful of cashews can be near 200 calories.

meyowtime

200 calories? That's nuts! :-)

CindyMarcuzAdams

Cheese, I am a cheese hound. I love love love it. To weigh out one ounce was a real eye opener. I would eat an ounce while cutting my other serving...huge...of cheesey goodness. Now I rarely eat it. I find its not worth the calories. I did find 60 calorie cheese strings that taste pretty good. I also have found old lite cheddar. So my cheese loving days are now over. I will have to get by on just liking it from now on...sigh...

onefortyone

Those 'whole grain' herb crackers/pita chips are a lie!! I was craving something crunchy/salty and I'd usually go for potato chips, but I wanted a better 'replacement' - there's pretty much the exact same amount of calories per ounce (14-16 crackers/chips) in those things! I ended up being able to squeeze them into my daily allowance, but 1-2 oz of food really isn't a fulfilling snack for a grown person IMO.

But on the opposite scenario, I've had things that are lower in calories than I expected, too. I got some Philly Cream Cheese (chocolate flavoured) and figured it'd be REALLY decadent and therefore high in calories - but it only had 100 calories per two tablespoons! Compared to 190 for two tablespoons of peanut butter, and 230 for hazelnut spread! I am very happy to make that delicious switch

meyowtime

That's great to hear about cream cheese! I didn't even notice that. Cheese overall is a slippery slope. I do love mozzarella though. Speaking of which, anyone else been shocked at the calorie "cost" of pizza?

jsalzat

Candy has been the worst sneaky food for me! I'd grab a few pieces out of the candy jar at work thinking it'd be harmless and then when I'd go to log it realize I'd eaten a whole meal's worth of calories :embarassed:

Remmykins

I had the candy problem too long ago. I found Japanese candy has less calories. I had 7 pieces of Hichew and learned that 8 pieces is only 180. Ohmnom. I did however, learn the dark secret of pancakes today... So... no more of those!

Alatariel75

The calories in a muffin blows my mind. It's like magic, as soon as it gets made into a muffin, its calories double.

Candy gets me too, a couple jelly lollies and wham - there goes my surplus for the day!

Coffee - even a skinny latte can set me back a large amount of calories - I've learned to drink it black or with just a dash of milk.

Pasta. So easy to consume an epic amount of calories - I mix it half half with steamed veg now to bulk it out.

EDIT to add: I don't avoid any of these things (except the coffee, and that's mostly because I don't like it well enough to spend the calories), I just make them fit in my day or don't eat so much of them.

Nikkisfitblog

Pretty sure the point of MFP is not avoid foods because of their calories but to include them in your daily goals?

grandmothercharlie

Restaurant salads! It's the cheese, croutons, fruit, meat! My favorite salad -- Pecan Crusted Chicken Tender Salad at O'Charley's -- is 1420 with the Balsamic Vinigrette. I used to eat it all the time! Along with a couple of their rolls at 130 each! Even when I get a side salad now, I always ask for no croutons, no cheese. Just the veggies. Dressing on the side and I dip the tines of my fork in the dressing and then stab a bite.

FeraFilia

But on the opposite scenario, I've had things that are lower in calories than I expected, too. I got some Philly Cream Cheese (chocolate flavoured) and figured it'd be REALLY decadent and therefore high in calories - but it only had 100 calories per two tablespoons! Compared to 190 for two tablespoons of peanut butter, and 230 for hazelnut spread! I am very happy to make that delicious switch

Sounds yummy. I'll have to try it.

For me, it was peanut butter. I didn't realize how much was a tablespoon, and I'd eat big spoonfuls right out of the jar as a snack.

Then I got a food scale. I still eat peanut butter, but I weigh it every time.

chunt87

But on the opposite scenario, I've had things that are lower in calories than I expected, too. I got some Philly Cream Cheese (chocolate flavoured) and figured it'd be REALLY decadent and therefore high in calories - but it only had 100 calories per two tablespoons! Compared to 190 for two tablespoons of peanut butter, and 230 for hazelnut spread! I am very happy to make that delicious switch

Sounds yummy. I'll have to try it.

For me, it was peanut butter. I didn't realize how much was a tablespoon, and I'd eat big spoonfuls right out of the jar as a snack.

Then I got a food scale. I still eat peanut butter, but I weigh it every time.

Peanut butter got me too until I got a food scale, and this will sound strange but vegetables and fruits. Believe it or not the standard medium sweet potato doesn't seem to exist in the grocery store and neither does an acorn squash, or banana for that matter. The sweet potatoes I was eating would be about 2 servings if I looked at it and thought it was medium and the ones I perceived to be small were about 1.5. Nuts were a big thing too. Man I love that food scale after getting it.

ruthejp13

I make my own pizza. I don't know how it is physically possible to gain 7 pounds after eating a couple pieces of restaurant pizza. Oh, everyone says its the water retention. But for some reason, I never drop all the restaurant pizza weight afterwards. First you have the high-glycemic crust. Then the sauce is loaded with sugar. Cheese is probably mozzarella, Parmesan and something else too. The sausage has corn syrup solids and fat. It's a recipe for weight loss disaster.

I use a whole wheat tortilla and spread tomato paste on it. Then tons of spices, a little reduced fat mozzarella and more veggies than you think it can hold. It helps cure the cravings without adding the pounds.

jenilla1

I don't avoid anything. I just weigh it all to make sure I have the proper serving sizes. (My biggest surprise was cereal serving sizes.)

squishycatmew

I was actually kind of surprised at how much more an actual serving of peanut butter or nutella is than the amount that I put on a piece of toast. I usually weigh out the equivalent of a tablespoon and that's about as much as I used to put on without measuring (or course, that doesn't count what I would eat out of the jar…)

Pasta was one on the worst - cheese I was actually kind of surprised, again, at how much larger an ounce was than I thought. Still less than I would like to eat sometimes, but certainly enough for a sandwich.

thyella

I am starting on a 20 gram a day carbohydrate limit. You can deduct your fiber from your carbs. Trouble is many foods I consider healthily and low cal or full of carbs. No yogurt even non-fat, no cottage cheese, limited fresh fruit to start. Lots of vegetables, believe it or not fat is kind of ok. Hamburger no bun, topped with spinach, mayo (yes a couple tsp of mayo, cheese another thing that is ok, onion, pickle, just no carb. Chicken salad with mayo again (not drenched) cucumber, celery, onion on a bed of lettuce. Almost eat things you would never eat. I come 200 to 500 calories below what is in my program but won't lose a pound if there are carbs in those calories. Good luck and hang tough.

tierra85

Speaking of sneaky foods, anything Monsanto touches. And no GMO label requirements? And why are we still putting high fructose corn syrup in everything!? I don't avoid any foods due to calorie content, i just portion them now. The foods i do avoid now are a result of reading labels for so many years. Mainly stick to the farmers market or outside perimeter at the grocery store.

Dedulaney

I also get amazed at restaurants and their versions of things that are commonly healthier. Balsamic vinaigrette in my fridge? 20 cals a serving. Same kind of dressing at a local restaurant? 150 cals a serving. I've gotten to where I pretty much look up everything possible.

anna_toffee

i find bread excessively caloried. like, a bread roll in the UK, depending on the size, can stack up about 250cal. i'd so much rather get that from lean chicken or fish!

TavistockToad

Cheese, I am a cheese hound. I love love love it. To weigh out one ounce was a real eye opener. I would eat an ounce while cutting my other serving...huge...of cheesey goodness. Now I rarely eat it. I find its not worth the calories. I did find 60 calorie cheese strings that taste pretty good. I also have found old lite cheddar. So my cheese loving days are now over. I will have to get by on just liking it from now on...sigh...

i eat reduced fat cheddar cheese - its almost as yummy... i save the good stuff for special occassions!

SezxyStef

I was very surprised at my turkey taco salad...without the chips...it can be over 700 calories...and I eat it a lot...

I have worked at getting the calories down by using greek yogurt instead of sour cream, only using 1 serving of lite cheese shredded of course...but even without nuts, bacon, croutons etc...that calories are high.

I find prelogging food helps keep that "surprise" at bay.

jessilee119

For me the sneakiest foods have been things like coffee creamers and dressings. What I thought was 2 TBS of dressing was actually 3-4. Those calories can add up quick not to mention the added fats and sugars.

kommodevaran

I have reduced my intake of wheat, bread, pasta, baked goods, not because of gluten or carbs, but because of the calories. I get so much more taste and variety from full fat dairy and meats, fish, nuts, eggs, fruit and vegetables. Wheat and carbs are great for energy, but I don't need so much of that, I'm a small and quite sedentary woman. I can eat anything though - portion control is the key.

TwirleySlims

Pretty sure the point of MFP is not avoid foods because of their calories but to include them in your daily goals?

^ This!

Supertact

Cheese has lots of cals but it's the perfect food when you need fat + protein and no carbs.

Sometimes when something is higher in calories I end up asking myself is this worth the calories.

elyelyse

Yup, some of the first things people learn when changing their habits is that a) healthy doesn't mean low in calorie and b) even most healthy foods have to be eaten in moderation.

The yogurt parfait that surprised you? Probably had 2-3 times the yogurt than in a healthy "serving" and if there was granola, well, granola comes in anywhere between 150-400 calories per OUNCE depending on the style/flavor/brand, and most parfaits I've seen at restaurants or convenience stores use 3 times that amount (and not the lower calorie variety). I make my own yogurt parfait all the time, it comes in around 350 calories: 5-6 ounces of yogurt, one ounce or less of granola (and I look at labels and usually don't bring home the higher calorie kinds) or other cereal for crunch, and maybe some berries or melon. Sometimes, if I've been low on protein and high on carbs that day, I skip the granola and add about a half ounce of sunflower seeds or crushed almonds or pistachios instead.

Many delicious looking store bought muffins, if you look at the serving size, are meant to be at least 2 servings. Please, who's eating half a muffin!? (MFPers, that's who, lol)

So yeah, you don't have to cut all those things out, but beware portion sizes. It's a learning process. After a while, you'll be able to look at most things and have an understanding of what a reasonable portion should look like...but even then, I still check labels.

If you are used to eating larger portions, it may seem challenging to reduce the amount you are used to eating. You can do things like mix granola with a lower calorie, higher volume cereal (adding a half a cup of Cheerios, for example, only adds 50 calories, but could double the volume or your snack) or have half of the muffin, with a cup of berries. You can still have those higher calorie items, just have less of them, and then add some lower calorie item to make your meal or snack feel like it's enough food.

gretlarson

Restaurant salads! It's the cheese, croutons, fruit, meat! My favorite salad -- Pecan Crusted Chicken Tender Salad at O'Charley's -- is 1420 with the Balsamic Vinigrette. I used to eat it all the time! Along with a couple of their rolls at 130 each! Even when I get a side salad now, I always ask for no croutons, no cheese. Just the veggies. Dressing on the side and I dip the tines of my fork in the dressing and then stab a bite.

This one is so true. I went to Wendy's one day. There isn't a Wendy's where I live and it reminds me of home so I went there. I ordered the apple salad. I looked at the nutritional board and it said it was 350 calories for the whole salad. I hadn't eaten much that day so I ordered it. I come home and search nutritionals on their web site and that didn't include the dressing (I only had one packet of that thankfully) or the little nut packet they give you. I think that is close to false advertising. I would have much rather known up front what the caloric cost of this salad with all the stuff that goes with it is, than finding out later. I would have done better getting the grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad.

jessilee119

Many delicious looking store bought muffins, if you look at the serving size, are meant to be at least 2 servings. Please, who's eating half a muffin!? (MFPers, that's who, lol)

So many packaged foods do this and it irks me lol. Like Pop-tarts, Yakisoba's, those "individual" bowls of Campbell's soups. They package it to look like individual portions and then you read the number of servings and it says 2 or about 2. :grumble:

Like so many people learn using this site, that's why it's SO important to read labels carefully and measure/weigh everything.

seltzermint555

I have been on this site for over a year now and honestly after the first month or so I have not had a lot of surprises. Probably the biggest two for me were tortillas and cheese. I love making Mexican or Tex Mex at home, but I used to throw on SO much shredded cheese without realizing it's pretty high calorie. When I made quesadillas, I used SO many tortillas and even the small fajita size ones I buy are 77 cal/each with a lot of sodium. The first time my husband made quesadillas for us I couldn't fathom each of us each having just 1-2 tortillas (I used to use up a whole pkg of 10 tortillas when making 2-3 servings!!) but now it seems normal to me and I fill them up with a LOT of stuff for the same calories I used to use on multiple tortillas spread thin with cheese & veggies.

When it comes to chocolate, ice cream, and hamburgers, I have been pleasantly surprised. For some reason I had it in my head that a burger with mustard from Steak N' Shake would still be like 800+ calories, and it's not even half of that. A Cadbury egg is 150 cal and I imagined it to be MORE cals/fat/etc than a Snickers bar so that was a nice shock in the opposite direction :-)

williams969

I was actually kind of surprised at how much more an actual serving of peanut butter or nutella is than the amount that I put on a piece of toast. I usually weigh out the equivalent of a tablespoon and that's about as much as I used to put on without measuring (or course, that doesn't count what I would eat out of the jar…)

Pasta was one on the worst - cheese I was actually kind of surprised, again, at how much larger an ounce was than I thought. Still less than I would like to eat sometimes, but certainly enough for a sandwich.

Agree^. Some of my surprises were actually like yours. Peanut butter and cheese "servings" are SO much larger than I use, and I LOVE peanut butter and cheese. Once I got my scale, I found out I really only use less than a tablespoon (1/2 of the 2 T. serving on the jar) for a sandwich. Hmmm, it wasn't the PB that made me fat (well, it was EVERYTHING, but I digress). And cheese? Well I pretty well was always using 1 ounce servings, naturally. Hmm.

I was surprised mostly by my meat portions. I LOVE chicken and steak, and what I thought were "deck of cards" appropriate portions were likely 6 oz. or more (umm, I could totally pack away a 12oz. steak). And, smothered in butter and oils and cream sauces. WHOOPS! Meats, always weigh your meats, folks! And be sure to use the appropriate "raw" or "cooked" database item as needed for the situation.

PS: Bacon (2 slices) IS "healthier" calorie wise than two sausage patties (YMMV on brand, size etc.). Who-da thunk it? BACON forever!