Do you count "Comfort Food"?

eatmeingo

My family is very very very Russian and German in heritage and everything my mom makes usually reflects this. Which means thick bread and soup and sweets and potatoes and thick meats. I have a lot of stomach issues from past disordered eating, but this kind of food never makes me hurt or feel guilty because it makes me feel happy and at home and safe. Of course, I don't eat 400 blini at a time, I keep my portions small still, but I just wanted to know other people's opinions too!

(Sorry if this is in the wrong category?? I wasn't sure )

Stacyanne324

Do you mean count it in my calories? Of course, I count all food. That doesn't mean I never eat comfort food but I make sure I have the room for it and exercise to gain some calories if needed. Then enjoy your meal!

thepetiterunner

If it's giving my body calories to consume, it goes on the log.

Plenty of things make me feel good when I eat them - chocolate cake, meatloaf, carrots, blueberries - I don't discriminate. They all count because they'll all hinder me from reaching my goals if I neglect to count them.

eatmeingo

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

bcattoes

Do you mean count it in my calories? Of course, I count all food. That doesn't mean I never eat comfort food but I make sure I have the room for it and exercise to gain some calories if needed. Then enjoy your meal!

Yep, this is what I do too. If possible I make healthier versions of my favorite unhealthy foods so I can have them more often.

dovesgate

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

Have you tried using the recipe builder?

bcattoes

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

I have days like that too, and in those cases I sometimes don't log it. If I'm just guessing at the calories I don't see the point. I just try not to have those days too often.

runnercheryl

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

In that situation, I'd make my best guess based on everything I THINK is in it, and add 200-300 calories for pessimism.
Not as much for accurate measurement, but a guess that I can look back on and go 'Oh yeah, THAT'S why I didn't lose weight this week/month'.

At the moment my diary is filling up with junk food - but measurable stuff.

I'm really ill, and my appetite's gone haywire. Last night I had a pizza and chips, and so far today I've had a baked potato, tuna and 100g of chocolate. Still need to pick my evening meal! :grumble:

eatmeingo

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

Have you tried using the recipe builder?

No... haha, I'm not even sure what that is? Would it help?

eatmeingo

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

In that situation, I'd make my best guess based on everything I THINK is in it, and add 200-300 calories for pessimism.

At the moment my diary is filling up with junk food - but measurable stuff.

I'm really ill, and my appetite's gone haywire. Last night I had a pizza and chips, and so far today I've had a baked potato, tuna and 100g of chocolate. Still need to pick my evening meal! :grumble:

If you're sick, I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. :P But I'd substitute bread and soup for pizza. (Keep the chocolate )

Contrarian

Yes. There can be a ton of calories in "comfort food".

atlantapiper

all food, all liquid...just all

whitleynoel

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

MFP has a recipe calculator. Add all of your ingredients and then tell it how many servings that makes. It will break it down for you.

runnercheryl

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

In that situation, I'd make my best guess based on everything I THINK is in it, and add 200-300 calories for pessimism.

At the moment my diary is filling up with junk food - but measurable stuff.

I'm really ill, and my appetite's gone haywire. Last night I had a pizza and chips, and so far today I've had a baked potato, tuna and 100g of chocolate. Still need to pick my evening meal! :grumble:

If you're sick, I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. :P But I'd substitute bread and soup for pizza. (Keep the chocolate )

Haha... to be honest, I'm thinking tonight will be another pizza. I've been thinking all day about what I want to eat, and it's still the only thing I think I can face.

Of course, my fiance's picking up food on the way home from work - I have to trust him with the topping choice! :ohwell:

StrongGwen

Yes, that's what I meant haha. It's just that most of the recipes in my family are super old and I'd have no way of knowing how many calories to count! I just try to keep portions small.

Have you tried using the recipe builder?

No... haha, I'm not even sure what that is? Would it help?

On MFP, go to the FOOD tab, then to RECIPES and it will guide you to entering a recipe. Very helpful! Enter one ingredient at a time, take your best guess and guess on the higher side when in doubt. don't worry about spices and herbs, but do include salt for the sodium. use measuring cups if you have to (I do) to figure out the size of one portion. by the end you have the per-portion calories, fat and etc. You can even go back and edit to make the portion size smaller, like if you find out a half-cup has 600 calories, you might be able to eat a 1/4 and still fit into your calorie goal. Good luck!

Kayla165

Log everything, calories are calories no matter were they come from drink, chocolate, fruits, veggies and even comfort food. Remember food is feul.

Just1forMe

Every piece of food and every drink you take has calories. That is the bottom line. If you don't want to use the recipe builder (under the food tab) to put in the recipe (which you should if you eat it regularly), then at least add it as a generic item like "homemade cheese blini" to get an estimated calorie count.

eatmeingo

Thanks everyone