Do you count fruit and veggie calories?

JRRCLR

Do you count the calories of the fruits and veggies you eat? From Weight Watchers I've learned that you count the starchy veggies, like potatoes and corn and cooked carrots. But what about the raw carrots, celery and peppers you eat?
Fruits too...I know they have more sugar, but the amount I think I'd eat I don't know if it would be necessary. I'm definitely more of a veggie girl.
TIA!

karenjoy

yes, you count the calories of EVERYTHING you eat and drink, that is the point of MFP (see my post about SW and WW if you like) :flowerforyou:

sprinkies

yep log everything because in the big picture it all counts.

fuzzymel

Yes I count it all. Its still calories.

ajbeans

EVERY calorie! Even watered-down juice, which I drink a lot. Even that piece of chocolate you sneak after lunch (or am I the only one? :laugh:). Every calorie counts. Plus, if you log it, it'll help you see the days that you're feeling better on fewer calories. It's good to keep track of all this stuff so you can get a handle on the bigger picture.

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: I count everything I eat including cough drop, veggies, fruit, condiments...it all counts......if you bite it, you write it......nothing is free :bigsmile:

flinchyny

Yes, though I often estimate, e.g., I may use an entry for "green salad" that someone already put in the database rather than itemizing everything on my plate.

kelfelbel

Definitely! Everything gets logged!

FitnessChefJime

Must count EVERYTHING!!!!!

JillyCornwall

Without a doubt..everything..otherwise I'd be picking all day on grapes, strawberries, carrots, cherry toms...and easily eat a whole meals worth of calories!!!

javamom

I count everything because I like to see how the veggies contribute to my fiber intake. Fruit calories/carbs add up faster than you think, too.

bizco

Yes, calories are calories so count everything.

Don't worry about the natural sugar found in fruit, only be concerned about "added" and refined sugars that are listed in the ingredients. Anything that ends in "ose" (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose) plus syrups, brown sugar, malt...

lfsulli

Yes- the system counts the fiber and vitamins, too. I like seeing the reports, and the breakdown of protein, fiber, etc. This is a different approach than weight watchers. This counts everything and breaks it down. For example, oatmeal and avocados have high points on WW. They are great foods with tons of fiber and good fats, which reflect in these reports. WW just takes calories into account, not nutritional value.

janski2

The more fiber I eat, the more I lose. If I didn't count my veggies, I wouldn't know how much fiber. I try to keep it at 25 grams a day.

hpsnickers1

even count vitamins. 2 Fish oil supplements have 2.5g of fat in them. At least mine do.

csg3_her

I count everything because it all adds up..

YeaILift

No.





It really depends on the vegetable. If you can eat cabbage, lettuce or, spinach with just 0 calorie seasoning, you could definitely snack on it and it won't affect you in the long run. Once you get the hang of what you're doing and have a good exercise and nutrition plan in place, minor calories like that really don't matter in the big picture.

backinthenines

Yes I count all fruit & veg.

I don't count supplements and I don't write down hot drinks, but then I primarily drink water anyway and don't take milk & sugar in coffee so it makes little difference.

mem50

:flowerforyou: I count everything I eat including cough drop, veggies, fruit, condiments...it all counts......if you bite it, you write it......nothing is free :bigsmile:

Love It!! I'm the same way. If it has a calorie in it, it gets logged.

togden

If it goes in my mouth then I count it ... I even log my gum when I chew a piece

Thomasm198

Yes. A calorie is a calorie not matter whether it's in fried food or raw vegetables. In fact, eat enough raw vegetables and nothing else you would still gain weight

Leannek74

Yep! Log EVERYTHING! It really does make a difference... in a good way! I even log coffee and I drink it black!

changingmadelaine

Yes! "Negative calories" is a myth. A calorie is a calorie, no matter where it comes from. Plus tracking fruits/vegetables will help with your fiber and vitamin levels as well.

neebelung

even count vitamins. 2 Fish oil supplements have 2.5g of fat in them. At least mine do.

Ah, good point!!

Nigel99

I've been counting it all. It would be easy to just not put this down or that down, but then you aren't being very accurate in your daily diary.

1southernchick

Yes! Fruit has a lot of natural sugars in it and I've found I don't lose as fast if I eat too many a day.

LisaZaugg1976

yes I do I log in everything that I eat or drink.

heyitsmekatie

i do. although the calories are relatively low, it all counts. plus, most of 'em help me reach my fiber goal.

ocdad68

Counting vs Tracking

I count everything. All calories count towards weight loss. 500 cal a day = 1lb a week .. not a hard, fast rule, but it's a number I just keep in mind to help me stay on track.

However, I do not track the amounts or types of sugars (carbs). I just mentally try to be aware and keep away from the simple, refined, processed carbs.

katschi

I went in to see my doctor on the 14th of January. I mentioned that I had joined up for WW online and told her that fruits are now "free" as well as most vegetables. She was horrified! :noway:

"ALL calories count. Even fruits and vegetables!" she admonished me.

and that's how I ended up at MFP. She used this site to help her lose 85 lbs. She still logs all of her food daily.

Calorie counting has been the missing part of the equation for me. I know how to eat fairly healthfully but I was going under the assumption that I didn't have to "count" veggies or fruits.
And I've been so frustrated that I haven't been successful at losing weight.

Now I know.
Thank you, Dr. J.

jessie580

I count them all.

an orange can run you about 80 calories.

I also count my multivitamins
they are gummie vitamins and are 15 calories for 2 and I take 2 multi and 2 vitamin c = 40 cals