Free calories?

That's of course a Weight Watchers concept. When I went to my doctor he told me there is no such thing as "free calories". Mind you, that's his opinion but I think there's merit to that. Many fruits in particular are high in calories and I don't think can be disregarded. Weight Watchers, however, isn't really letting them be "free". When they calculate how many points (which are based on calories) you should be eating a day, they build into those points the fruits and veggies they claim are free. They were worried, and understandably so, that if people had to spend their points on vegetables and fruit, it would deter people from eating them all together. I think then, if you are strictly counting calories, you should definately claim them in your diary because there is no built in cushion or allowance. No worries though as most veggies are pretty low to begin with. It's the fruit that will get ya. For me, I count everything but not to the extreme, so really it's a personal preference at the end of the day. I would go mad if I had to count every piece of gum or seasoning I shook on a meal. Some condiments like ketchup I don't even count but BBQ sauce, which is pretty darn high, I do.

Again- find what works for you. This is just my opinion and as people post underneath me, you'll find that theirs differs from mine. Best wishes

Granted no one, that I know of, has become fat over veggies and fruits but the calories CAN add up.

The point is to get in the habit of recording everything you put in your mouth.

As posted above me, that's WW mentality and this is exactly why I gave up with them lol.

If it has a calorie in it, I count it. Otherwise, what's the point of counting calories?

But what about your macros??? Dense green leafy veggies have fiber! Now, if you are talking about iceburg lettuce than it is rather pointless!

I count everything, other than seasonings and some condiments. They add up, although they won't slow down your weight loss. It's a personal preference, and it can be a hassle to add up a salad when it only equals 20 or so calories anyways.

Now, you'll want to count salad dressing / cheeses/ croutons.

It is a personal choice you have to make on your own, but depending on how much vegetables you have it can add up.

I have counted my veg/salad, but I'm a bit lazy about it. I have mixed salads, and sitting there calculating every single item I put in it would take forever. I generally select a vague salad from the list for my calorie count as a guideline and then consider some of my spare calorie allowance to be used for the rest.