Having trouble logging... too many food options!

Yeah most of us end up eating the same thing pretty often too. When I first look stuff up I either scan the UPC code with the cell phone app or enter the exact name of the food as it is sold. If it's part of something I eat often I'll add the other parts (i.e. if its a sandwich the bread, meat, condiments, etc.) and then just save it as a meal.

Next time, when I eat the same thing, I can just add the meal and not look anything up.

If that doesn't make sense just reply and I can walk through it.

There are "official" listings for most foods in the database, the trick is how you search for them.

For instance, search "Eggs - raw" and the first three listings are for Eggs - white only raw, whole raw or yolk only raw, and none have a little asterisk next to them, indicating an "official" entry, or one you entered yourself. I eat whole eggs, so once I've selected that entry, the drop down menu for that item gives you the option to log in in cups, by egg size, or in grams.

For chicken breast - search "Chicken - Breast" & you'll get an entry for chicken breast, meat only, roasted, plus other options if you scroll through. As with the eggs, the drop down menu gives various measuring options.

For most fruits and veggies, you'll find the good entries if you search the item in plural - potatoes, bananas, strawberries, peaches, etc. Some things are bit trickier, like cantaloupe - search "Melons" and you'll find entries for cantaloupe, honeydew, etc. Same with squash for the winter and summer varieties.

Sometimes it takes a bit of poking around, but at least once you log some of them, they show up in your recent and eventually most used foods, making them easier to find.

Hope that helps!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately&page=3#posts-19337078


Yes there is something you can do actually.

entries that are from usda do not have an asteriks in front of them. If you can't find one of those you can create on of your own or edit an existing entry.

You can also create foods and recipes in the database for accuate logging.

I have found that the easiest way to find the USDA listing for a particular whole food, like eggs, chicken, fish, fruits, and veggies is to first do my search of the item with "raw" listed behind it. If I can't find an entry without the asterisk, I then do a google search for that item and find the listing title on http://nutritiondata.self.com/. Once I know that, I come back here and put the exact name into the search bar. That usually helps me get to the USDA entry and then I can log by the gram.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately&page=3#posts-19337078


Yes there is something you can do actually.

entries that are from usda do not have an asteriks in front of them. If you can't find one of those you can create on of your own or edit an existing entry.

You can also create foods and recipes in the database for accuate logging.

There in lies the problem!! All of the stupid people that enter there own foods into the data base! That is what the recipe saver is for!! I don't want to see Aunt Bessies' stewed tomatoes!!! What the hell is in them????

All that changes from cooking, other than the addition of any cooking fats, is weight. For example, a chicken breast that is 4 oz raw will weigh less cooked. How much less depends on how and how long it is cooked. On the whole it's better to weigh raw if possible and use raw weights. Same for eggs--if you are making scrambled or an omelet, weigh them before cooking. Or, really, do it once and if they all look the same keep using the one weight for the eggs in the carton. Or if necessary go with the carton designation as large, extra large, etc. I've found there's a little variation, but only a few calories at most. The calories don't change if you cook it, but the weight will, so what is significant is the state it was in when weighed.

I have just had a little look and find that BOTH entries with an asterisk and without are noted as 'member submitted' with a number of confirmations (some with none). I am confused, could somebody kindly clarify?
Thanks

Yes both will have confirmations...mine typically have confirmations as well, people that know me know mine are correct.

The confirmations are from users who have "confirmed" the nutritional data is correct. Now that being said if you are unsure check yourself and if it is correct confirm it...that helps keep others in the know that those member submitted entries are correct.

You will find most confirmations on MFP database entries which typically are usda data.

All that changes from cooking, other than the addition of any cooking fats, is weight. For example, a chicken breast that is 4 oz raw will weigh less cooked. How much less depends on how and how long it is cooked. On the whole it's better to weigh raw if possible and use raw weights. Same for eggs--if you are making scrambled or an omelet, weigh them before cooking. Or, really, do it once and if they all look the same keep using the one weight for the eggs in the carton. Or if necessary go with the carton designation as large, extra large, etc. I've found there's a little variation, but only a few calories at most. The calories don't change if you cook it, but the weight will, so what is significant is the state it was in when weighed.

Thank you!