Vegetables...do you count them

joanna1014
joanna1014 Posts: 14
in Food and Nutrition
Do you count your vegetables in youir daily calories? My sister lost a ton of weight after seeing a nutritionist that told her not to count vegetables....just curious as to what others do because she always tells me not to count them.
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Replies

  • taralyndsey1
    taralyndsey1 Posts: 2
    I operate as your sister does and do not count my veggies toward my calories based on advice from my nutritionist. I'm still working out the kinks in my eating, but I've found that veggies can tide my hunger over long enough to get me to my next meal (when using them as a snack) and also act as a great plate filler during a meal, forcing me to portion down my other food items. Portion control is my nemesis, so this has been especially helpful for me. Good luck!
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    I count everything. Even vegetables can add up, calorie wise, so I'd rather know where my calorie count stands than guess.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Yes, you should count them. It's how MFP is designed.
  • aakaakaak
    aakaakaak Posts: 1,240 Member
    Yes, I always track my veggies. How else am I going to measure my macronutrients if I can't see the foods that mark off my macronutrient needs?
  • kjoy_
    kjoy_ Posts: 316 Member
    if i eat it i count it! just because they're vegetables doesn't mean their calories magically disappear. what you eat will show on your body - in a good way or bad way - regardless of what you put in your diary.
  • LiveLoveLift67
    LiveLoveLift67 Posts: 895 Member
    I count every thing. A calorie is still a calorie and if you are watching them they count. Its much more accurate especially if you are also watching your macros.
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    I count everything. When I'm not actively counting, I won't care about what vegetables I'm eating (just try to get the whole color spectrum) but right now I count everything because I want to actually be under my targets since I have them..
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    veggies still have calories. I eat a lot of veggies. So I count them.


    Seriously - if you're counting calories, it doesn't make sense to exclude anything.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I count them - calories are calories, and I also pay attention to and track my macro-and-micronutrients.
  • chezjuan
    chezjuan Posts: 747 Member
    For all the reasons stated above, I count them unless it is just a bit (like when I have a slice of cucumber when making a salad).

    I think that the logic of not counting vegetables is directed at people who would not normally eat vegetables... it would encourage them to eat veggies rather than a different, higher-calorie snack, and the vegetables would fill them up.
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    I count them and put them in my diary....
    But I am not worried about them....if I am putting on weight it is because of something else I am eating, and not my veggies. :laugh: :laugh:
  • janicebinva
    janicebinva Posts: 99 Member
    I count them and put them in my diary....
    But I am not worried about them....if I am putting on weight it is because of something else I am eating, and not my veggies. :laugh: :laugh:

    Exactly this ^^. As long as we're talking about the good veggies like greens, peppers, broccoli, string beans, carrots etc., and there's little to no heavy sauce or dressing on them, I figure I can eat as much of them as I want.

    However, if you're using sauce, salad dressing or the like, those calories can add up in a hurry.

    Also, potatoes are a vegetable, but you better count them in your calorie calculations.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    veggies have caloires- esp my bacon grease sauteed ones.

    :D

    count them.
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    I count them. It's usually no more than 30 calories or so but it still adds up. I like to be as accurate as possible. I'm done eating whatever I want... I'd like to know exactly what's in my body.
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    if she is on 1200 cals a diet, and eat about 100-300 cals worth veggies, then she is doing great. I think maybe this is the thinking nutritionists have. If she starts working out she needs to eat more cals though
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Yes
  • nytrifisoul
    nytrifisoul Posts: 499 Member
    If you eat a 100 negative 1 calorie veggie you can even put a tbsp of butter on them! And you dont even have to count it! Isnt ignorance grand?
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I count everything but veggies are never a problem. As stated before it is what you put on them or how you cook them if not eating raw. Starchy veggies can add up too if you are not watching.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    If I consume it, I count it.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    This isn't weight watchers, so yes.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    Calories yes.
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    She fit TWO! TWO eggplants! Ah ah ah....
  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    I count everything. Not just for the calories, but to have an accurate picture of my nutrition.
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    If I consume it, I log it. Simple as that.

    I am living proof of an obese vegetarian. That being said vegetables most certainly DO add up. I also agree with what the previous posters have said. It also matters how the vegetables are prepared. Butter, oil, sauces, cheese, hummus, dips - it all adds additional calories to those veggies.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I can see how not counting them might work for some folks, as it might shift eating patterns.

    But it doesn't work for me - I count everything.
  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 844 Member
    I count all my vegetables on my log. They can add up.
  • bryntevans01
    bryntevans01 Posts: 25 Member
    I always count my vegetables, only because i track my Macros and they count upto my carbs uptake.
  • topazora
    topazora Posts: 82 Member
    I count them, if nothing else to keep track of the vitamins and minerals that are present in the vegetables. Nutrient intake is just as important as calorie intake, since nutrients are beneficial to health and weight loss. Though with that in mind, I probably should be keeping track of my supplements as well. Also, even though celery is negative calorie, I'd like to know what my cream cheese came on.
  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    I count every lettuce leaf I eat lol
  • Eleonora91
    Eleonora91 Posts: 688 Member
    Yes you can definitely count them... especially because they add up and give you a good amount of calories. But, on the other hand, if you feel hungry and want to eat something, you can always eat some fruits or veggies, and I don't think it's that bad if you exceed by eating something quite healthy. They're mostly water so it's not like they do any harm. Better than exceeding with a burger...

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