How do you log healthier foods?

AZackery

I want to start off by saying, I don't diet and I don't log my foods.

I know that every meal can be prepared healthier and with that in mind, how would someone log a homemade hamburger vs a McDonald's hamburger? Does MFP knows the difference?

Thomasm198

I want to start off by saying, I don't diet and I don't log my foods.

I know that every meal can be prepared healthier and with that in mind, how would someone log a homemade hamburger vs a McDonald's hamburger? Does MFP knows the difference?

Create a recipe in the recipe tab and save the recipe. I do it all the time.

suzieduh

hmmmmmm *warning bells in my head*

taso42

The food database has a few "stock" entries for burgers

Sandwiches and burgers - Cheeseburger, regular, single meat patty, plain
Sandwiches and burgers - Cheeseburger, large, single meat patty, plain
Sandwiches and burgers - Cheeseburger, large, single meat patty, with bacon and condiments

Sometimes I use one those when I eat a random burger somewhere. If you create a recipe for it, like Thomasm198 suggests, that's an even more accurate way.

If the calories and macros in your homemade burger match that of the McDonald's burger, then no, there is no difference as far as MFP and logging is concerned.

ilookthetype

Create a recipe in the recipe tab and save the recipe. I do it all the time.

This. Or you can log all the ingredients individually, but it's easier (if you'll eat it more than once) to log it as a recipe.

sabified

What Thomas said. Another option is to add each ingredient separately in your log... depends on how you log. If you use your phone, unfortunately you may need to log each ingredient (I haven't figured out a way to make recipes on the android app). If you're using your computer, recipes are the way to go.

BarbWhite09

One of the main points to this site is to log your food, to aid you in dieting...Im confused why you would use it even. Lol. Anyway, yea it knows the difference...You can log a McD's burger...Burger king...wendys...hardees...just about anywhere. It will more than likely have a homemade burger option, with or without bun, with or without cheese, lean meat or not, etc. The database is pretty amazing.

tmarie2715

Create a recipe in the recipe tab and save the recipe. I do it all the time.

This. Or you can log all the ingredients individually, but it's easier (if you'll eat it more than once) to log it as a recipe.

It is annoying to finish logging everything individually only to realize you probably will eat it again. If that is the case, you can save all the individually logged items as a meal. Like others have mentioned, this is only a last resort kind of thing if you logged everything in to one meal instead of as a recipe.

jetscreaminagain

One of the main points to this site is to log your food, to aid you in dieting...Im confused why you would use it even. Lol. Anyway, yea it knows the difference...You can log a McD's burger...Burger king...wendys...hardees...just about anywhere. It will more than likely have a homemade burger option, with or without bun, with or without cheese, lean meat or not, etc. The database is pretty amazing.

This. And why would you ask? Given that you don't log or diet.

sassylilmama

I sense trouble brewing here. But anyway you log it like you would log any other meal.

AZackery

I want to make something clear. I'm here to motivate and encourage other people and talk to other people that's on the healthy journey. I'm not the only person on this site that don't diet. A lot of people are doing a lifestyle change. Plus, this site is not only about food.

I don't diet, but I eat healthy and I exercise. I know that eating healthy and exercising can't only be for people that's on a diet.

FlexAppeal79

For Clarity Sake....

Noun:

1.The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
2.A legislative assembly in certain countries.

Verb:

Restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight: "it is difficult to diet in a house full of cupcakes".

I believe she means she does not VERB...because everyone has a NOUN :happy:

seasonalvoodoo

I want to make something clear. I'm here to motivate and encourage other people and talk to other people that's on the healthy journey. I'm not the only person on this site that don't diet. A lot of people are doing a lifestyle change. Plus, this site is not only about food.

I don't diet, but I eat healthy and I exercise. I know that eating healthy and exercising can't only be for people that's on a diet.

I would say that a lot of people on here don't "diet" either...just eat healthier and exercise. But most of the non-dieters, myself included, do log our food. It is interesting to see what you consume, even if it is all "healthy."

Sidesteal

For Clarity Sake....

Noun:

1.The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
2.A legislative assembly in certain countries.

Verb:

Restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight: "it is difficult to diet in a house full of cupcakes".

I believe she means she does not VERB...because everyone has a NOUN :happy:

This was by far the most useful post in this thread.

EDIT: No offense y'all.

seasonalvoodoo

For Clarity Sake....

Noun:

1.The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
2.A legislative assembly in certain countries.

Verb:

Restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight: "it is difficult to diet in a house full of cupcakes".

I believe she means she does not VERB...because everyone has a NOUN :happy:

+1

Contrarian

I want to make something clear. I'm here to motivate and encourage other people and talk to other people that's on the healthy journey. I'm not the only person on this site that don't diet. A lot of people are doing a lifestyle change. Plus, this site is not only about food.

I don't diet, but I eat healthy and I exercise. I know that eating healthy and exercising can't only be for people that's on a diet.

I would go as far as to say that MOST people on this site don't "diet". As others have mentioned though, logging our foods helps us stay in control of our macros.

Sidesteal

logging our foods helps us stay in control of our macros.

^ That. I'm trying to look a certain way and perform a certain way in the gym, so I'd like to know with a high degree of accuracy what I'm consuming.

cmriverside

Must . . back. . away. .

If you don't log....why worry??????

ritajean3

I went through a stage of not logging foods but I logged exercise. Have you ever logged your food?

BicepsBrachii

logging our foods helps us stay in control of our macros.

^ That. I'm trying to look a certain way and perform a certain way in the gym, so I'd like to know with a high degree of accuracy what I'm consuming.

Same with me. Just joined to log my food to hit my macros while I cut/bulk seems useful

Rae6503

You log a 1/4 pound of burger (if that is what you eat, FYI McDonalds small burgers are 1/10 pound), then you log the bun brand you are using. Then you log the toppings..... It really isn't hard.

Rae6503

Oh and I'm not "dieting" either. But if I don't log I probably wouldn't eat enough protein and I'd probably eat 3000-4000 calories.

RoosterB

Have a couple of bananas instead. It easier and better for you.

SergeantSunshine_reused

One of the main points to this site is to log your food, to aid you in dieting...Im confused why you would use it even. Lol. Anyway, yea it knows the difference...You can log a McD's burger...Burger king...wendys...hardees...just about anywhere. It will more than likely have a homemade burger option, with or without bun, with or without cheese, lean meat or not, etc. The database is pretty amazing.

This. And why would you ask? Given that you don't log or diet.

^^ im confused xD if you don't log food... why ask how to log it? o.O

_Sally_

Gentle reminder to please be respectful in all posts and responses :flowerforyou:

This should not turn into an argument over who logs what, or why.


With Respect,

_Sally_
MFP Forum Moderator

barkin43

Gentle reminder to please be respectful in all posts and responses :flowerforyou:

This should not turn into an argument over who logs what, or why.


With Respect,

_Sally_
MFP Forum Moderator

Thanks, Sally. But still, LOL, you gotta admit the "noun" - "verb" response lightened it up a bit. I'm still laughing at that one. I hate "verbing" but lately am trying to make my "noun" more healthful!

AZackery

For Clarity Sake....

Noun:

1.The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
2.A legislative assembly in certain countries.

Verb:

Restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight: "it is difficult to diet in a house full of cupcakes".

I believe she means she does not VERB...because everyone has a NOUN :happy:

It's easy to try to be funny.

SergeantSunshine_reused

I thought it was hilarious

Yakisoba

AZackery

I went through a stage of not logging foods but I logged exercise. Have you ever logged your food?

No Ritajean3, I have never logged my food. Even prior to joining MFP, I've never logged my food.

poisongirl6485

There are plenty of health sites and forums you can use that aren't entirely built and focused around logging your daily food intake. I don't think I'd find this site useful at all if I weren't using it for what the main intention was.

Besides, if you don't log, then I guess I don't understand why bother asking the question. If you are curious, a quick peek in the food database with the search word "hamburger" will show there are many many variations of the different types of hamburger choices to log in the diary.