Logging going out to dinner?

YorriaRaine
YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I only go out to dinner maybe 2-3 times a month, however I never really go to larger chain restaurants, but rather family owned ones. I have no idea how many calories I'm eating during this time frame. How does everybody log theirs?

I was wondering because tonight is my sister's 21st birthday and we are taking her to her favorite place to eat. There will probably be cake and whatnot involved as well.

Replies

  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    I have a custom item called 'whatever' and I just log that. I usually make it 700 calories or so, since that is average dinner for me, and only add drinks. If I go out, I want to have fun, not count every morsel.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    All the calorie counts & burns are estimates. The more accurately & honestly you log, the more sure you can be that you're eating at a deficit.

    Find the closest approximation in the database. Never choose the entry with the lowest calorie count—if you don't eat at a deficit, you won't lose weight.

    Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Find reliable database entries. (There's a lot of incorrect data in there.) Weigh your food.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    Fushigi, I'm probably gonna do the same thing.

    I'm just gonan quick log a 1000 calories to account for dinner and drinks (I typically drink coca-cola when I'm out to dinner). I really don't go out to eat often enough to worry about it.

    editorgrrl
    I measure and weigh all the food I consume, but I have no possible way to measure what I eat when I go out. I do not really go to major chains that offer their nutrition info online. This is why I was asking.
  • LucyJordan
    LucyJordan Posts: 6 Member
    Go easy with breakfast and lunch and then go and enjoy yourself!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I'm sorry that I wasn't clear. They're two different things. The more accurately you log your everyday food, the more wiggle room you have while eating out. Weigh your food at home. At restaurants, find the closest match in the database.

    Making wild guesses & adding quick calories (or choosing something vaguely similar with a super low calorie count) will not get you closer to your goal.

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