Cups, tablespoons, etc. Question:

In the portion section for a 3 oz chicken breast measured at 4 oz in the database, put the serving as .75

1/4 c = .25 cups

1 tsp of syrup = .33 TBLSP

You can make the serving size any number you want. Same as if I ate 8 oz chicken breast, I would just put 2 as the serving.

ETA: whatever the serving size you are having divided by the database size equals the serving size you enter. 3 divided by 4 = .75

Also, if you are not weighing your food, you could be eating more than you think. A 1/4 cup may be a different serving size than an ounces or grams measurement of the same food.

I eat Bran Buds, if I went with a 1/3 cup of it, I would be eating more than the grams per serving amount. Even though the serving size on the box says both, 1/3 cup (30g), it doesn't exactly add up to both by just using a 1/3 cup serving. It's more like 35-40 grams.

Don't get overwhelmed, it's a learning process when you start. Once you get a handle on it, it will be a lot easier to log and measure.

Nevermind. I think I have it. 100 (1 cup) divided by 4 is .25 for a 1/4 cup.

You're doing too much math here. If you want 1/4 cup, just divide 1 by 4. Example: 1 / 4 = .25

You always take the size you're eating and divide it by the serving size given on the label. So if you eat 3oz chicken and the serving size is 4oz, the math is 3 / 4 = .75

If you eat 5oz chicken, it would be 5 / 4 = 1.25

A lot of the entries allow you to change the measurement from a total number of grams or ounces to single grams or ounces. Those are always nice. Example: I use the USDA banana option because it allows me to enter the weight of my banana in grams without having to do any calculations.

(Edited for grammar)

I have an app on my phone called Convert which has been very helpful.

This is actually one of the reasons weighing may take people less time, even apart from the increased accuracy. The good entries generally have a 100 g option, so you weigh, get 45 grams, and just plug in 0.45. No calculations required. There are some exceptions for packaged items (say something is one serving for 28 grams) but then you either do 20 g (for example) divided by 28 or just try to hit the exact number. Much less need to convert units of measurement, which is a pain. I even typically weigh my meat in grams vs. ounces these days.

You aren't ever gonna be 100% right, but you do the best you can.

You are always going to have to estimate some stuff. I usually use cups/tbsp/tsp for restaurant estimates, since I can eyeball better that way(my lunch places mostly have calorie counts), but when I pack food for work, like today, I weigh it when I prepare it.

I agree that the good entries typically have all sorts of options.

Folks, if you haven't seen this, take 3 1/2 minutes and watch it. There is a reason to use and/or get a scale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

good luck everybody

So I just came from weight watchers so forgive me but I'm already getting frustrated with how I can enter food. For example. Let's say I need to log in a chicken breast at 3 oz. It only gives me an option to enter a serving at 4oz. Is there a way I can adjust the portions?

Also this morning, I had a 1/4 cup of blueberries but there are only options for a cup.

One more example. Let's say I had a teaspoon of maple syrup. There are only options for a tablespoon.

Is there a way around all of this?

Yes. Stop measuring ANYTHING that is solid, and weigh it. Only measure liquids. Measuring solids is very inaccurate.

and read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

Howdy! Nope, it definitely won't work for those who have a hard time keeping track of their macros, like I mentioned at the end of that there comment. I'm a nurse and a nutritional therapist, though, so I've got that stuff almost annoyingly down pat. As I jump start this whole getting-back-into-good-shape-after-a-particularly-stressful-year thing, I just need to be held accountable on 1. Eating all 3 meals; 2. Making the most nutrient-dense choices for those meals; 3. Being acutely aware of serving sizes instead of eating until I'm full. Entering in my meals as calories only gives me a number to keep an eye on as is goes down an gives me all the incentive that I need.

This definitely won't work for everyone, and won't give you the breakdown of all your nutrients if you aren't keeping a mental note of those things. I think my situation is different also because I've had celiac disease since I was a kid, so am strictly gluten-free. Since I try not to eat much processed food at all, my food choices are pretty straight forward in terms of being pretty easy to keep track of the ratio of protein/fat/carbs. That won't be the case if you opt to eat prepackaged stuff, for sure. But I thought I would throw it out there in case there's someone similar to me who knows what they should be eating and just needs to be on parole temporarily until they get back into good habits =D

morning
yes, in the first box it usually says .....1...........
so if the serving is 1 cup and you had half that then you jut change the first box to read ........... 0.5 ..........
usually there is a way around it. remember don't get too anxious.....it wont help.........usually a search thru the list will give you an amount that you can work with......GOOD LUCK:flowerforyou: