Shocked at the amount of calories in food

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  • NanBar
    NanBar Posts: 283 Member
    I always tell people who are overwhelmed at the thought of trying to lose weight, exercise, track cals, etc. to just start out by tracking everything you eat for a couple weeks. It is truly shocking isn't it?

    Welcome to MFP..and remember that you can always find healthier versions of just about everything you love that is bad for you!

    If you can find me a healthy version of Fritos Chili Cheese chips I'll be soooo impressed and eternally grateful.


    Funniest thing EVER!
  • JeanK56
    JeanK56 Posts: 76
    You know what is really bad, I have been off and on diets my entire life, we are talking since age 8, so I knew good and well what I was doing to myself yet I still did it. How sick is that? Not caring enough about myself to get past myself...hmmmppphhh

    We are all here for the same reasons, whether we have been on diets our entire life or not. I was thin through high school and even when I had by first 2 sons...But by the time I had the third, forget it. I knew what I was doing as well, but for whatever reason we did this. It is never too late to educate ourselves and correct the not so good things in our lives, as we are all doing by being here now.

    I am finding this site much better than previous program I was on that counted points. Not throwing stones at that program, but I NEVER looked at my calories, just points. There's a difference, in my opinion, in counting calories and counting points.
  • lessertess
    lessertess Posts: 855 Member
    I was totally shocked by how many calories were in pasta. I knew carbs were high but never realized how high the calories were. Of course my favorite food 'was' mac and cheese

    I agree. I've been counting for a long time but seldom eat pasta anymore. I wanted just plain macaroni last night and couldn't beleive that 1/2 cup was about 200 calories!!! That's crazy. Don't even want to think about what it is for mac-n-cheese.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I was totally shocked by how many calories were in pasta. I knew carbs were high but never realized how high the calories were. Of course my favorite food 'was' mac and cheese

    I agree. I've been counting for a long time but seldom eat pasta anymore. I wanted just plain macaroni last night and couldn't beleive that 1/2 cup was about 200 calories!!! That's crazy. Don't even want to think about what it is for mac-n-cheese.


    Yep, the minute I calculated it, I was horrified...i like pasta...I know you're can have it in small doses, but it's really not that good calorie wise...i had a scootch of depression lol...I don't feel like i'm deprived, but COME ON!
  • Nonny444888
    Nonny444888 Posts: 2
    I was totally shocked by how many calories were in pasta. I knew carbs were high but never realized how high the calories were. Of course my favorite food 'was' mac and cheese

    I agree. I've been counting for a long time but seldom eat pasta anymore. I wanted just plain macaroni last night and couldn't beleive that 1/2 cup was about 200 calories!!! That's crazy. Don't even want to think about what it is for mac-n-cheese.


    Yep, the minute I calculated it, I was horrified...i like pasta...I know you're can have it in small doses, but it's really not that good calorie wise...i had a scootch of depression lol...I don't feel like i'm deprived, but COME ON!

    My favorite was and still is Mac-n-cheese, I could (and use to) eat it all the time, late at night (10pm) after class. Now I still eat it about once a week, but I plan it in on a good work out night!! lol And never after class!! lol
  • Bermudabarbie
    Bermudabarbie Posts: 568 Member
    The most shocking individual item for me was a Cranberry/Orange scone at either Starbucks or Panera Bread. I mean these little, plain looking cakes seem so benign. They are delicious, but just loaded with calories (about 500) and sugar. I mean it's not like having a piece of iced chocolate cake or something? But calorie wise, it's probably worse!

    Yes, MFP is the greatest tool because you are really educating yourself about your particular "hidden diet horrors." Be it salads, scones or orange juice and milk (check out the hidden sugar grams in milk and fruit), it becomes apparent and real to YOU!

    Just love MFP!
  • ms_april
    ms_april Posts: 21 Member
    There are a couple restaurants I wont even step foot in anymore now that I look up calories before I eat out. For instance at the Cheesecake Factory even the "weight management" salads and the grilled mahi (the lightest fish on the menu) have over 500 calories and thats before dressing or sides. I guess when the name of the place is Cheesecake Factory it shouldn't come as a surprise.
  • downtome
    downtome Posts: 529 Member
    I was never shocked at the calories in any food, I knew how many calories were in what I was eating but I didn't care. I had lost all hope for a better life but that has ALL changed! The longer you keep at in, the easier it will become to just know how many calories are in certain foods. I have been dieting since I was 10 so it's second nature to me. Good luck!
  • bjshields
    bjshields Posts: 677 Member
    what really got me when I started tracking it (again) is how many calories ONE SERVING is when you eat at restaurants. Something I thought would be 500-600 calories would have like 1,200 in it. And that was supposed to be for ONE PERSON! When you think about it, it makes sense that so many of us (especially Americans like me) are fat. If 3,500 calories adds up to one pound and you're consistently eating 1,200 calories for just one of your meals a day, you're going to gain weight. The good news is, the stuff that's good for you (i.e. fruits & veggies) is naturally low in calories, sugar, etc.
  • pgp_protector
    pgp_protector Posts: 207
    There are a couple restaurants I wont even step foot in anymore now that I look up calories before I eat out. For instance at the Cheesecake Factory even the "weight management" salads and the grilled mahi (the lightest fish on the menu) have over 500 calories and thats before dressing or sides. I guess when the name of the place is Cheesecake Factory it shouldn't come as a surprise.

    Cheesecake factory.... Sigh... I've got 2 coupons for free slices of their cheesecake to boot :D
  • jazzer81
    jazzer81 Posts: 3
    Me too! I used to drink Simply Lemonade all the time, but as soon as I started tracking I had to give it up! No way I can justify drinking away that many calories and sugar! Water for me too! I drink green tea with lemon for my lemon fix! :)
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