Logging MFP

Garcia_6
Garcia_6 Posts: 39
in Motivation and Support
Should I log in foods when I go out to eat at a restaurant. How do I go about using myfitnesspal app. In general how can u log foods that u eat at a restaurant.

Replies

  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Restaurant food has calories too so you should log it.

    Depending on where you eat you can get the nutritional information from the restaurant's website. Do some planning before you go and log it beforehand. A lot of the chains have food in the database. If I'm eating at a local place where the information isn't available I will look up the information for another place and pick the closest match. It's not exact but it gives me an idea of what the calorie count is.
  • mrsbunbunbun
    mrsbunbunbun Posts: 49 Member
    Absolutely! I was shocked at some of the calories in restaurant foods, and it definitely affects my choices. I agree with the comment above, and I'll even check while I'm sitting there looking at the menu, just search the name of the place and see what pops up that look like good choices, and then go the other way, see what looks healthy on the menu and try to find it (or something comparable from a different place) in the ap. I would say that it's a good idea NOT to choose something that sounds similar, but is labeled "Homemade." Restaurant food almost always is prepared with more calories than how a person would at home, so keep that in mind. Then when you make your choices, it's a good idea to look for protein that is grilled or baked, avoid dishes with unnecessary cheese, sauce (or coatings), and sub out the potato/rice for more vegetables. I also will ask for a side of lemon wedges to squeeze on my salad. For me, +/- 200 calories for most prepared dressings is just totally not worth it, compared to the less than 10 for fresh squeezed lemon. Hope that helps! PS When it doubt, LOG IT! I log absolutely everything. Even gum, vitamins, especially BEVERAGES, everything we put into our bodies counts. ;)
  • shezzzzz
    shezzzzz Posts: 119 Member
    When I am in a restaurant and I can't "log it at that moment" (no wifi, or it would just be RUDE to play with my phone in a social setting), I take a picture of what I'm eating, hopefully with something as a reference for size, and log it when I get home. I know I'm not going to be completely accurate if there is not nutrition data available, but I do my best, and try to estimate on the higher side of the calorie count. We still have to have a life while losing weight.

Categories