Counting Vegetable Calories?

dchris1968

I have been tracking my calories for quite some time before I started using MFP. I really enjoy this site, and find it a great help to access this anywhere I am at a computer. Tracking the calories burned is also excellent!

My question is this, how many of you track vegetables on here and why?

I have never really counted vegetables, because I was told a while back that they are very calorie dense. Also, most of the time, say lettuce and tomato on a sandwich, doesn't seem as important as the bread, cheese or condiments that are on it. And I do weigh and measure everything that I eat.

Just looking for some thoughts and opinions on the matter.

Thanks!

wriglucy

I count them....a calorie is a calorie. That, and they can add to your fiber amount. Some, such as potatoes, are higher in calories and need to be counted....at least in my opinion

sharonuk10

Ditto the above... a calorie is a calorie.. nothing is free.

velix

i count all calories - if veggies have them, I count them - on a day when I don't workout, vegetables do add up

JennDoesKeto

i do count them mainly because of sugars and carbs for myself. and I like to be able to see if i lost one day what I ate exactly.

NoAdditives

Actually, vegetables are NOT calorie dense, that's why a lot of people/sites say it's not important to count them.

I do count them. On a sandwich the tomato adds just a few calories so it's not like it takes a huge chunk out of my daily calories. I don't count things like onion, green chile, or anything else I consider a spice.

stanvoodoo

Yes I count them!

Melis25Fit

I count it. I count everything that I put in my mouth. You should be as accurate as possible because they all have some sort of calorie. Maybe down the road you'll start saying, "Oh it was only 3 m&m's... I don't really need to count it, do I?

All those little cals add up, darling.

CricketKate

I eat a lot of veggies: 12 oz at lunch and 12 oz at dinner. I log them because I log everything I eat. 12 oz is usually about 4 servings and I frequently end up with 120 calories per meal just from my veggies, that seems like a lot to not count.:happy:

crystaltrejo

agreed, I count it all.

sbwood888

If I have a whole serving of something....say a cup of broccoli, I will count it. But like last night, I had a wrap with a little bit of tomato and lettuce. I didn't bother with it. For one thing, I doubt I could even find an entry that would give the calorie count for a couple of tablespoons of lettuce, etc. I don't really fret about it. I guess from so long follwoing weight watchers where they tell you that nostarchy veggies are FREE.

FearAnLoathing

I count an wiegh everything

JennsLosing

if its a tomato slice on a sandwich, or a couple leaves of lettuces on a sandwich then no i dont actually, but if its an actual serving or half a serving i count it.

AngelsKisses75

I agree with counting every calorie. I don't care if they come from Carrotts, Coke, or Cake. They are all calories and add up. I also feel a proud pat on the back in seeing healthy foods, such as fruits and vegtables, on my menu.

TrainerRobin

Oh yeah. I count veggies (and everything). There are plenty of veggies that have more calorie than one might think. Still a GREAT nutritional deal and I try to eat tons of veggie and fruits, but they should be counted. A big onion can have 100 calories. And my favorite to munch on -- baby carrots? Check it out:

Serving size = 57 baby carrots (yeah, I can eat that many during a long movie!)
Calories = 200
% Daily Value
Total Fat 0.74g
Saturated Fat 0.13g
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.37g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.04g
Calories from Fat 6.69
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 445.72mg
Total carbs 47.09g
Fiber, total dietary 16.57g
Sugars, total 27.20g
Protein 3.66g
Vitamin A 78800.20IU
Vitamin C 14.86mg
Calcium 182.86mg
Iron 5.09mg

bizco

I measure, weigh, and log everything I eat and drink. It's the only way to track and spot trends that will help you achieve your goals.

christenmc

I count everything
I also use a food scale so that if I have a tomato slice I can know the grams

anubis609

Absolutely. I weigh everything to the gram for precision just so I can have the most accurate calorie count. I'm pretty meticulous.

kelligonzales

Actually, vegetables are NOT calorie dense, that's why a lot of people/sites say it's not important to count them.

I do count them. On a sandwich the tomato adds just a few calories so it's not like it takes a huge chunk out of my daily calories. I don't count things like onion, green chile, or anything else I consider a spice.

I agree with this, I really only count them if i'm having an all veggie dinner. A calorie isn't a calorie they all aren't created equal.

wigglebun1

Eating vegetables never made me fat! But, I count everything! Weight Watchers says you don't count the non-starchy vegetables & fruits, but I still find myself adding a point or two! Can't seem to change what works!

BigBoneSista

I count all veggies as well.

crazymama2two

count them...youre only cheating yourself if you dont...

bethrs

I say count them. vegetables do have calories and they add up. They are very healthy foods, but you can have too much of a good thing.

Tandksmommy11

I count everything that passes me lips. There are some veggies out there (like corn) that are more calories then you'd think, so it's always good to count those calories if you're really watching what you eat.

dchris1968

If I have a whole serving of something....say a cup of broccoli, I will count it. But like last night, I had a wrap with a little bit of tomato and lettuce. I didn't bother with it. For one thing, I doubt I could even find an entry that would give the calorie count for a couple of tablespoons of lettuce, etc. I don't really fret about it. I guess from so long follwoing weight watchers where they tell you that nostarchy veggies are FREE.

Ok, I have become convinced!! I will be counting my veggies from now on. However, I do agree with sbwood888 too!


Thanks everyone!!!
Doug

123456654321

I certainly count veggies. I eat can easily eat a few hundred calories of veggies in one day....I don't see why that wouldn't count.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

i count everything that goes in my mouth.... Eventually, if you use MFP long enough, you may delve into things beyond just calorie counting to get more information & tweak your food intake to acheive better all-around health. You will want information like fiber, potassium, vitamins, etc and not logging veggie info would not only throw off your calorie counts but it would also throw off this other info. Only by logging the veggies that you eat on a daily basis can you look back in retrospective analysis.

Just one more reason to log it ALL
:drinker:

abyt42

If vegetable calories didn't matter, there would never be fat vegetarians... and I'm living proof people eating a plant-based diet can indeed get pretty darned big.

Even with whole grains and limited white sugar.

catcrazy

I count absolutely everything even my black no sugar decaf coffee. Quite often my vegetable intake is 300 calories so i'd be in trouble if i didnt count them

aflane

I count everything. It all adds up. Lettuce at only 10 cals + 2 C of broccoli @ 50 cals + carrots @ 60 add up to over 100 cals. I'm only allowed X amount per day and the vegs add up.

nerdyandilikeit

Actually, vegetables are NOT calorie dense, that's why a lot of people/sites say it's not important to count them.

I do count them. On a sandwich the tomato adds just a few calories so it's not like it takes a huge chunk out of my daily calories. I don't count things like onion, green chile, or anything else I consider a spice.

i dont really count spices either, because i find it too fussy. i try to leave a buffer for inaccuracies anyways (100 calories or less), but that will probably change as i get closer to my goal and i dont need as many calories (but i still wont log spices, or ill get annoyed and quit).

i do log veggies, but what im really working on is proportions of my food groups, and proportions in general.