Calorie Counting Marination

Nalgh94

So I'm working on making more homemade meals and registering all the calories on MFP. I am currently marinating my chicken breasts in buttermilk and a few spices and was wondering when inputting the recipe, do I take the buttermilk and spices into consideration calorie-wise? If so, do I put the full amount seeing as there will be much buttermilk left behind.

Really appreciate any insight on this, thanks

macdiver

Try measuring the butter milk before and after. Enter the diffence for your calories. I would think that some of the liquid is absorbed into the chicken or you would not bother using it in the marinade.

Nalgh94

thank you, I know how much I put in last night, I'll measure what's left today before cooking!

LittleMissDover

I count it all in the recipe as I have no idea how much of the sugars etc is absorbed. I see any calories not actually ingested as a bonus.

tvanhooser

I count it all in the recipe as I have no idea how much of the sugars etc is absorbed. I see any calories not actually ingested as a bonus.

Yup - This ^ Most spices - except maybe sodium, if you are watching your salt intake - won't affect things much one way or the other. In my experience they are so little calories, if any as to be a non-issue. The buttermilk might make a difference though. I cook for 4 most nights so I put in the recipe as is so it will divide up any possible calories between the 4 (or more if I make extra) servings and tell me how much I get in my one. Better to overestimate the calorie intake and underestimate the expenditure to safeguard against unintentional overages. Just my opinion.