Do I count calories from fruits and vegetables?

bonbon_bee

I did WW for a while and fruits and veggies were "free" (except corn, potatoes, avocados, and bananas). I'm counting the calories of everything that I eat except the fruits and veggies; I feel like I shouldn't "punish" myself for choosing cherry tomatoes over Hershey's kisses.

Should I be counting the calories of ALL the foods I eat, including the fruits and veggies? Again, I don't want to "punish" myself by subtracting calories from my daily amount, even though I chose wisely. Suggestions? Anyone else not counting their fruit and vegetable calories?

Thanks

rides4sanity

It isn't a punishment, it is just an honest account of what you are taking in. No more, no less.

nashai01

I never thought of it before. I normally count them since the fruits and veggies never have too many calories in them anyway.

skyecita

I count them. I record everything in MFP, even diet soda, coffee and splenda. I imagine it depends on how many calories of veggies you are eating whether it makes a big difference. I think I eat about 100-150 calories of veggies a day.

lindquistfamof4

I say account for everything you put in your mouth. It helps you keep track of the good stuff you are giving your body. Doing this also helps you track the sugars (even natural sugars) you're putting in your body. Fruits can be high in calories and by not counting them you may be sabatoging your weight loss. It also helps me realize why I am eating. If I have to log in and account for it I think about whether I am really hungry. Good luck to you I am 16.2 pounds down since March 20th

ilovekc

Anything you eat has to be logged

jessicakate329

I came here from weight watchers as well and I loved the free fruit and vegetables. On MFP I track fruit just because it does have sugar but I rarely track vegetables unless they're in some kind of sauce or butter. Do whatever works for you and if you find you're not losing then start tracking everything.

mon696

If it goes in your mouth, then count it.

EAH123

Anything that I intake I count including fruits and veggies. I also count if I cook, saute, bake, roast, ect. I wouldn't see it as punishment; I'd just be honest about intake. Most, in moderation, aren't that bad in calories.

lizziebeth1028

Whoaa....there's a whole lot of food psychology going on in that statement. Let me break it down easy for you - IF YOU BITE IT YOU WRITE IT. It is all calories consumed so it counts!!!

islandnutshel

I include them because they do add up and I also want the nutrients to show up on my diet. I always try to get more iron and calcium from my food, but I mostly have to suppliment because on 1200 + exercise calories it is hard to get all daily nutrients.

n8na

I log in every calorie I eat. Otherwise it would be like cheating for me. Especially fruit has a lot of calories too.

susannamarie

Well -- I've eaten ~350 calories of vegetables today. If I didn't count them, I'd be thinking I was a lot more under calories than I am :P

yarwell

Fruit is sugar. Write it down.

parliskim

I count everything. Then I have a black and white account for what I ate that day.

RedWeb

MFP is a food diary. Veg and fruit is food. QED it goes in the diary.

myfitnessnmhoy

Part of the reason for using the site is to learn what foods fit in your life and what foods do not. Vegetables and fruits come with nutrients you'd struggle to get anywhere else.

Personally, I count them, because I also track nutrients. So the few calories they take up are well worth it in watching the nutrient counts climb so fast.

Don't see it as a penalty - this is different from Weight Watchers, this site actually wants you to learn about FOOD, not just mystic numbers called "Points" that they've patented and want to keep charging you for. And the only person benefiting from the diary is YOU.

britachu

I count everything I eat -- especially if you eat quite a few fruits and veggies, the calories can add up. I had a salad for lunch, which had 100 of the calories came from the veggies, and another 38 from my peach. If you eat veggies or fruits at every meal, it could be a 2-300 calories difference (or more) at the end of the day.

vrutwind

I log them. There are no such things as free calories if you are calorie counting. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, so if I didn't count them my log would look like I was living off egg whites and almond butter!

saxmaniac

Vegetables and fruits do have calories, so don't fool yourself. Today I've eaten 124 calories in fruits and vegetables so far, and it isn't even dinner yet. I probably hit 200-300 most days, and that's quite a bit to be over by. I was a bit shocked when I started tracking things like ketchup, steak sauce... all those little things add up!

You can log them and account for them exactly. Or, you can reduce your calorie goal to build in an approximate cushion, and eat about the same amount daily. But just don't be fooled that they're "free". Nothing is.

LifeOnMars_

If it goes in your mouth count it.