It is what it is PEOPLE!

TeresaWash

I wish when people entered a food in the data base they would enter the correct info! You can shave off as many calories as you want people, but If you eat it... It is what it is, doesn't matter how many calories you entered.

Makes is a pain in the *kitten* to enter your food info!

Maggie_Pie1

what are you talking about?

Mindful_Trent

Just remember that there are a lot of regional variations in food, and this is an international website. Even if the food is the same brand and same name doesn't mean it has the same nutrition info. One example is Nutella - I looked it up one time, and they have slightly different recipes for different parts of the world. Even within the US, there are regional differences for some foods/brands. Obviously, some people enter blatantly wrong information, but some differences are legitimate.

This is why I ALWAYS verify that foods match what I'm using before logging them. It really doesn't take too long, and after awhile your favorites/recently used list will be populated with foods that you know are accurate.

badgerbadger1

Just remember that there are a lot of regional variations in food, and this is an international website. Even if the food is the same brand and same name doesn't mean it has the same nutrition info. One example is Nutella - I looked it up one time, and they have slightly different recipes for different parts of the world. Even within the US, there are regional differences for some foods/brands. Obviously, some people enter blatantly wrong information, but some differences are legitimate.

This is why I ALWAYS verify that foods match what I'm using before logging them. It really doesn't take too long, and after awhile your favorites/recently used list will be populated with foods that you know are accurate.

This. Also, verify against the nutritional data on the label in front of you. If it doesn't match or you can't find a match, create one.

TeresaWash

Trying to enter 3 oz pork chop. Bone in.

I looked up like 7 of them and none of them came up right or even close.

I finally just looked it up on a "ligitimate" web site, and adjusted as close as I could.

(sorry... in a mood today!)

TeresaWash

Just remember that there are a lot of regional variations in food, and this is an international website. Even if the food is the same brand and same name doesn't mean it has the same nutrition info. One example is Nutella - I looked it up one time, and they have slightly different recipes for different parts of the world. Even within the US, there are regional differences for some foods/brands. Obviously, some people enter blatantly wrong information, but some differences are legitimate.

This is why I ALWAYS verify that foods match what I'm using before logging them. It really doesn't take too long, and after awhile your favorites/recently used list will be populated with foods that you know are accurate.

This. Also, verify against the nutritional data on the label in front of you. If it doesn't match or you can't find a match, create one.

Yes... but I think too many "create". I just adjust the quantity until I come close. It just rubbed me wrong today. I do LOVE MFP.

Mindful_Trent

Trying to enter 3 oz pork chop. Bone in.

I looked up like 7 of them and none of them came up right or even close.

I finally just looked it up on a "ligitimate" web site, and adjusted as close as I could.

(sorry... in a mood today!)

For things like meats, cheeses, produce, etc. your best bet is to go with the MFP-entered listings - these ones *do not* have an asterisk next to the name, and are accurate. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are user-entered.

melaniecheeks

You think ALL pork chops are identical?

Schraudt814

I agree withthe previous poster in regards to regional differences...however, what I think the OP was referring to are the shockingly inaccurate entries...just today I clicked on an entry for Generic Margherita Pizza and the result was 33 calories/slice :noway: . Some people post questional calorie, fat, etc counts for items to help shave calories off their intake.

Maggie_Pie1

well, the way i see it is that it's nobody's responsibility but your own to make sure your food diary data is entered correctly. Sure, it's convenient to use data someone else has already entered, but at the end of the day, it's not THEIR responsibility to make sure YOUR calorie count is accurate.

maryjay51

i just adjust to what is on here as a guidline but not hold it down to the last calorie.

ElizabethRoad

Yes... but I think too many "create". I just adjust the quantity until I come close. It just rubbed me wrong today. I do LOVE MFP.

If you don't want to clutter the database, you can create a new food and just not share it.

TeresaWash

Trying to enter 3 oz pork chop. Bone in.

I looked up like 7 of them and none of them came up right or even close.

I finally just looked it up on a "ligitimate" web site, and adjusted as close as I could.

(sorry... in a mood today!)

For things like meats, cheeses, produce, etc. your best bet is to go with the MFP-entered listings - these ones *do not* have an asterisk next to the name, and are accurate. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are user-entered.

Hey... thanks! I did not know that! That helps!

TeresaWash

You think ALL pork chops are identical?

Hardly, but I do thing. 1 oz of bone in pork chop should not vary by 200 calories. I'm funny that way.

cygnetpro

Just remember that there are a lot of regional variations in food, and this is an international website. Even if the food is the same brand and same name doesn't mean it has the same nutrition info. One example is Nutella - I looked it up one time, and they have slightly different recipes for different parts of the world. Even within the US, there are regional differences for some foods/brands. Obviously, some people enter blatantly wrong information, but some differences are legitimate.

This is why I ALWAYS verify that foods match what I'm using before logging them. It really doesn't take too long, and after awhile your favorites/recently used list will be populated with foods that you know are accurate.

Ya know, that didn't occur to me, that food in other areas of the country and world may have the same name and different nutritional info. To save time, I have been taking people's word for it most of the time, but sometimes I hit one that is obviously way off. Frustrating. I may go back to checking with my calorie count book-- just takes longer.

TavistockToad

I wish when people entered a food in the data base they would enter the correct info! You can shave off as many calories as you want people, but If you eat it... It is what it is, doesn't matter how many calories you entered.

Makes is a pain in the *kitten* to enter your food info!

I LOVE it when people have so obviously find the lowest cal option they can to log... like you say, they have eaten it and they have eaten the actual number of calories regardless of what they log!! you just have to laugh!

TeresaWash

well, the way i see it is that it's nobody's responsibility but your own to make sure your food diary data is entered correctly. Sure, it's convenient to use data someone else has already entered, but at the end of the day, it's not THEIR responsibility to make sure YOUR calorie count is accurate.

You are absolutely right, and that is what I did.

coachpzizzle

I don't think the author is necessarily pushing responsibility onto others. I get frustrated when I am looking for something so I can make a good choice (say, in a restaurant). I rely on MFP databases to help me inform myself. The purpose of a database like this is so that people DON'T have to reinvent the wheel constantly and can choose from previously entered items. It's supposed to build on itself.

I hear ya @TeresaWash. Why enter blatantly incorrect info. It's not magic, it adds up whether you count it or not.

bikermike5094

When i get home from the grocery store, i scan all my items on my smart phone and put it in my items. then, when I eat them, i can just look them up and adjust for quantity.

cloud2011

One thing, I know I didn't get fat eating pork chops. Tracking food is so great...just the act alone ensures I won't eat as much (and I'm referring to chocolate usually, don't have a problem with other food for the most part!)

BreakingUpWithObesity2013

I agree! And its really annoying...they're only fooling themselves...

TeresaWash

Yes... but I think too many "create". I just adjust the quantity until I come close. It just rubbed me wrong today. I do LOVE MFP.

If you don't want to clutter the database, you can create a new food and just not share it.

Oh, hmmmm... thanks. I didn't know that either.

yesthistime

I totally understand your frustration. It would be great if there were MFP moderators whose sole purpose was to verify food entries or at least go in once in a while and delete ones that are way off. There really are a lot of super silly entries (like the 33-calorie slice of pizza mentioned earlier or other entries that are clearly hundreds of calories off).

One can dream Until then, double- and triple-check everything!

sewerchick93

[/quote]
For things like meats, cheeses, produce, etc. your best bet is to go with the MFP-entered listings - these ones *do not* have an asterisk next to the name, and are accurate. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are user-entered.
[/quote]

Never knew that!! learn something new every day!!!! Thanks

lemonadem

For things like meats, cheeses, produce, etc. your best bet is to go with the MFP-entered listings - these ones *do not* have an asterisk next to the name, and are accurate. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are user-entered.

Didn't know this gem, thanks for sharing!

Kelico528

You think ALL pork chops are identical?

Hardly, but I do thing. 1 oz of bone in pork chop should not vary by 200 calories. I'm funny that way.

Well if you're funny, then I'm funny, because I really want my cals to be as accurate as possible. I don't have that many calories to fool around with! 100 calories could mean the difference between me eating "enough" and not eating "enough" (maybe not starvation mode, but my BMR is only 1300).

If something seems wrong I usually compare it to another website. If I am getting several different "answers" from MFP, then I average out the number. I don't have that many calories to fool around with, so I want to be as accurate as possible!

TeresaWash

For things like meats, cheeses, produce, etc. your best bet is to go with the MFP-entered listings - these ones *do not* have an asterisk next to the name, and are accurate. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are user-entered.

Didn't know this gem, thanks for sharing!

Ya... just went back to the food entries... this info will help a lot! Thanks!

MaximalLife

I wish when people entered a food in the data base they would enter the correct info! You can shave off as many calories as you want people, but If you eat it... It is what it is, doesn't matter how many calories you entered.

Makes is a pain in the *kitten* to enter your food info!

You are so right!
And these same obese folks are the ones sniveling about their "results stalling" - lol

I always double check any foods that are not confirmed by more than 10 users. And after a while, you already know what foods contain, so when a kooky number comes up, a red flag waves STOP!

CaptainGordo

I wish when people entered a food in the data base they would enter the correct info! You can shave off as many calories as you want people, but If you eat it... It is what it is, doesn't matter how many calories you entered.

Makes is a pain in the *kitten* to enter your food info!

You are so right!
And these same obese folks are the ones sniveling about their "results stalling" - lol

I always double check any foods that are not confirmed by more than 10 users. And after a while, you already know what foods contain, so when a kooky number comes up, a red flag waves STOP!

Really? Assuming that it's crazy obese people, and not honest mistakes or regional differences?

jskaggs1971

"Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by mere incompetence." - Napoleon Bonaparte

I think sometimes, people enter a guess in the database, and then share it, which is not a good way to go about things. Example: a few nights ago, wifey, kiddo, and I went to a seafood place near our home that we all like. They have a side dish of au gratin potatoes that is ridiculously good, so I went ahead and had some.

The database entry here on MFP for that dish from that restaurant was probably close in the calories department, with 300-ish calories in a small serving, but you'll NEVER convince me that the dish had no fat, what with the four different kinds of cheese in it.

How did I solve the problem? I went back to the database and found the highest-calorie, highest-fat au gratin potatoes recipe I could locate, and used it instead.

Ely82010

When i get home from the grocery store, i scan all my items on my smart phone and put it in my items. then, when I eat them, i can just look them up and adjust for quantity.

Good for you and great idea; however, not everybody has a smart phone. I don't, so I count on the labels of the foods that I buy/use and in the database. So far so good, but I do understand the OP frustration and comment.