Local Restaurants

abbeyjones1994

So, as we know, not every restaurant's calorie/macro counts are in the MFP database. My family and I frequently go to local restaurants in my town or towns around it. While some of them have calorie counts available, some don't, making it frustrating when we go to those places. Has anyone else been in this situation, and if so, how did you handle it? I don't think cutting those restaurants out is a reasonable solution, because I feel like the whole point of MFP is to be able to fit your favorite things into a healthy lifestyle.

Ready2Rock206

I either find the closest thing in the database or piece together a meal using my best guess of all the separate ingredients. (Or some combo of both those)

Joannah700

I do estimates. Like there is this fast food place that has amazing shredded beef burritos - but doesn't publish their nutrition information. I find something similar at the 'base level' like shredded beef and tortilla from Chipotle, and then add in refried beans and spanish rice from someplace that seems similar in quality/style.

If it's off, it's off - but you're right, the point of tracking is to be aware of what you're putting in your body and being off by 50 or 100 calories is not going to hurt you in the long run.

Mapanggulo

During my Introduction class in the VA MOVE! Weight Management program the dietitian talked about legislation that was possibly going through to make it mandatory requiring restaurants to post their nutritional facts if they have a online presence. I wish this would go through...would make going out so much easier. I know a lot of the bigger chains do. Also realize this doesn't take into account the smaller chains that are regional or local, or even the local mom & pop joints.

I'm struggling with this too, since I eat out once a week and I only get to choose every third time. Heck I know tonight I'm going out dinner with my cousin and already found out that Twin Peaks doesn't list their nutritional values at all.

Makes eating out a royal pain.

shabaity

I guesstimate. I work in food service so I do a lot of food prep and have a fairly decent idea of how much of something is however many ounces. Lets me know a guess of how much I can eat and how much to put in a togo box. And remember a heaped little bowl (also known as a monkey bowl) of veggies is about 6 ounces.