Questions about salad...

boobee32

I like to eat salads with mushrooms, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and slices of squash, and zuchinni in it...but do not know how much of this kind of thing to record on my journal.
For instance, i slice up two fresh mushrooms, but how big of a serving is that? so far, I am just guessing.....

sarahliftsUP

You need to invest in a food scale! They are only $15 or so. That way you can weigh all your portions in grams, which most fruit and vegetables are on the datebase, then you will know exactly how much you are eating.

hummzz

I had to buy a kitchen scale because its hard to guess. Sometimes you can find in the data base per mushroom, but how accurate is that when there are different sizes of mushrooms.

boobee32

yes, I suppose you are right....duh...thanks.

jamie78

agreed thats what I do I measure everything out and record it separately.

hpsnickers1

My salads usually happen at work from the Cafeteria's salad bar. I actually keep a 1/2 cup measuring cup and kind of "eye it". I know this isn't nearly as exact as weighing - I have a scale at home - and there can be a big difference between weighing and using measuring cups but I figure with veggies I'm at least not hurting myself. And yes I log each veggie separately. It takes time but well worth it.

chocolatnoir

I use measuring cups and spoons when preparing salad!

rodegghero

If its veg I do not measure. I just note the amount in cups or ablespoons as as estimate. Lost 80 pounds this way. I am in this for lifea Nd I am not gonna measure every damn thing I eat for Life!
If hat works fo/ doesn't bother you, then weigh It!

audjrey

Hi boobee :-)

I usually measure my foods (and beverages) and then go online and individually google how many calories, fat, carbs, etc, are in each item. For example, if I want to know how many calories are in a small baked potato I simply google: "small baked potato/nutritional value". Of course if you word it slightly different google offers a variety of chain words you can choose from to do your search.

After googling food and beverage items (even vitamins if you can believe it!), I then customize my food diary accordingly. However, if you type in each food item in MFP search, you'll find a wide variety of salad foods that can be modified/edited/changed to better reflect your portions. Too, the system automatically adjusts the calories, carbs, fiber, fat, protein, etc for you.

I know it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, especially in the beginning. But it's well worth it in the long run as it takes all the guessing out and reflects truer values. And once your food diary is vamped all you need do is select from previous meal items as your diary keeps track of these things automatically.

The key to remember is this - on average we eat the same 11 foods over and over again. Oh sure we may dress them up differently, but the essential core values remain the same. After that it's just a matter of adding whatever ingredients make up those dressings.

All the best to you!