Do you trust restaurant nutrition info?

disappearingirl
disappearingirl Posts: 1 Member
edited January 23 in Food and Nutrition
I was browsing the web and stumbled across some articles from a few years ago talking about how the calories listed by restaurants can be inaccurate (http://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/are-your-calorie-counts-right), especially on the "healthier" or "lower calorie" options. I find it pretty easy to believe, especially in the non-standardized items where the portions/ingredients might vary. I probably eat out at fast food places (usually chipotle) once every other week both because I like the food and because I'm busy. So a few hundred calories here or there won't trash my efforts, but it could certainly slow me down.

So, do you guys believe the nutrition info provided by chains/restaurants? How do you account for possible variances in the counts? Just over estimate? Try to eat less than the provided portion?

Replies

  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    I just log it and move on. If it's off by a few hundred calories, it's still not going to make much of a difference in the long run. Especially if you only do it once every two weeks.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    I just try to use my brain. I weigh everything I eat at home, so if I eat at work (I bartend in a steakhouse), order a 7oz filet mignon and a green salad but the steak looks bigger than what I would expect it to look like based on what I serve myself at home, I adjust accordingly. I order all dressings and sauces on the side so I can see exactly how much is there. The ramekins we use for sauces and dressings in my restaurant are 1oz or 2oz, so I can get pretty exact and not worry about a salad tender being too heavy handed or whatever. I do the same everywhere, I try to order things I can see the components of and predict the sizes.
  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,123 Member
    Well what can you do, man? Estimate as best you can. As long as you are aware of what you are eating, I think you will be ok.
  • lisahewitt22
    lisahewitt22 Posts: 102 Member
    Well even if they're wrong there's no way I can really tell but if I order a burrito and it says 200 calories ill probably just quick add calories and estimate something a little more.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    I try to trust it, although I realize that the calculations may be off. I weigh myself several times a week so I can make adjustments if I've eat more calories than I thought.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories