How to log when you're not self-catering

darkestblonde
darkestblonde Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi! I work away on weekend residentials with kids and someone else does the cooking. When it comes to meal times, all my attention is on supporting the young person I am with. I can't weigh food there so have to just be moderate on portion size etc but my question is- how do I log a food that I have no idea about. Eg if we are eating a curry or eating pasta and sauce, I don't know how it's made and how much of anything is in it! How do I log it?!

Replies

  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    what i do in those situations is look up similar foods and take an average as far as calorie count... That and i always add an extra 50-100 cals just in case.

    not the best way to do it but sometimes you just don't know. :\
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    I would just best-guess it based on the options in the database and then overestimate the calories. Sometimes there are several options of one item; I'll usually choose the highest calorie one just to be safe and have a buffer.
  • korsicash
    korsicash Posts: 770 Member
    Try to figure out what about a quarter cup looks like and look up on line what a portion size is based on your hand size. This is rough estimates and weighing is a better option but at least knowing what a portion looks like should help you. Then add maybe 200 extra calories to your day (or more depending on what the meal was) because we all under estimate.
  • LisaKunz
    LisaKunz Posts: 73 Member
    After you've been doing this a while, you will come to recognize portion sizes and be able to make a more educated guess. As far as actual calories, just search the database until you find something that you think might be close. You should be able to sort of guess what's in it...is it a cream-based sauce? Lots of calories. But if you have a normal, healthy portion and log whatever you find that's close, you'll be ok. Every now and then you'll be off by several hundred calories, but in the scheme of things, so what. MFP calculates the goal at a deficit, and if you're exercising, there's even more of a deficit. Just guess the best you can. And save the meal, if it's one that's "hard" but you think you guessed well.
  • kellicci
    kellicci Posts: 409 Member
    Good responses!

    I usually just go to the database and poke around sometimes people have recipies in there for almost exactly what I thought I ate....sometimes I got to a recipie site that has nutrition value and search for it and the pictures help me decide Then I pick something from the database that's close.

    Is it every meal on weeknds or is it just one a day? If it's just one a day like dinner then try to eat lite the other two meals to compensate. Also drink extra water, when someone else is cooking there's almost always more salt.

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