How Do You Ask?

froonlautie
froonlautie Posts: 9
in Getting Started
For posterity: I'm a returning MFP user trying to gain a bit of muscle mass. I have a really kind boyfriend who's helping to coach me through it, since this is the first time in my life I've tried to hold myself accountable for my poor eating habits. (See: forgetting to eat for hours, bad portioning habits, and compulsive refusal of food.)

That being said, I have no problems meeting my calorie goals (usually, sometimes it's hard to be hungry enough) and inputting my numbers every day can become a fun memory game, since I usually cook for myself. But when I don't, sometimes it's difficult for me to ask people how much and what of they put in a dish without upsetting them.

Discuss, my dudes: How do you ask friends, family, or partners how they make the food* they offer you? Do you even? Will you refuse food someone made you because you're not sure how to record it later?

*or snacks, drinks, etc.

Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,446 Member
    "Yum, can I have this recipe?"

    If it's something simple, I can usually search and find a "near enough" match. For something more complex, I will totally ask them for the recipe.
  • Joannah700
    Joannah700 Posts: 2,665 Member
    I try to find comparable entries in MFP and use those. If it's a total wash, then I just do a quick add for calories.
  • froonlautie
    froonlautie Posts: 9
    "Yum, can I have this recipe?"

    If it's something simple, I can usually search and find a "near enough" match. For something more complex, I will totally ask them for the recipe.

    Haha! That's pretty great. The simplest solutions aren't obvious to me, sometimes.. I'll credit you for that one in my heart :)
    @Joannah700 - you know, I forgot that was a feature?
  • Sandigesha
    Sandigesha Posts: 226 Member
    Portioning, I can stuff myself for 6-7 hours (3300cals of clean food) or eat smaller portions throughout the day, makes no difference, it's about spare time that you have to eat/cook
  • JenniDaisy
    JenniDaisy Posts: 526 Member
    I've had to refuse food before, My husband's a chef and occasionally he'll bring home some dinner or dessert or something and I just have to say 'sorry, If I can't weigh it, I can't eat it'. It's usually something super delicious and about a thousand calories :sad:
    It sucks, but it's just too much of a calorie difference when I have to guess butter and oil etc. He understands, but he gets excited to bring me a treat and just doesn't realise.
  • melissay28
    melissay28 Posts: 100 Member
    If i know it's something "bad" I'll look for something similar in the food list and pick the one with the highest cals for the size of proportion I ate. I'd rather over estimate than under estimate and pay for it later.
  • froonlautie
    froonlautie Posts: 9
    That makes sense, Sandi. I am trying to eat at least before I lift but I suppose it's better to eat randomly than not at all, yes?

    Oh Jenni I'm so sorry hahaha. Blessing/curse situation? My brother is a chef also. He brings me little things sometimes, experiments he calls them, and I find it difficult to refuse his creation. Good luck in your struggle.

    @melissay28 - also a sensible practice, thank you.
  • KrissyRawrz
    KrissyRawrz Posts: 342 Member
    Fortunately my boyfriend is happy to tell me amounts and all the ingredients he uses, he even lets me watch him LOL
    it was a bit awkward asking at first but we are used to it mow. I just explained I want to log the food the best I can so that I can plan around it.

    When it comes to meals out I the gm ask in advance if they have calorie information, which they usually don't :/ so I have to ignore things I'm not sure on and pick something I can guess the calories in
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    If they are aware of what you are trying to do, then surely they will try and support you and will not be surprised if you ask? Making them aware shuld make it easy.

    The portion thing if you dont take your own scales, then you are going to have to get good at estimating. If its not via their recipe or by the packet, then the MGP is pretty extensive.
  • wesley58
    wesley58 Posts: 129 Member
    Yes I refuse food that I don't know anything about, and kindly explain the reason
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I live life. I eat food that I can't account for on occasion, and it doesn't totally derail my weight loss. It's not going to break you to have a snack or meal you don't know the calories for, in the long run - but it might break a relationship/friendship. I don't think any diet is worth that.
  • Alisontheice
    Alisontheice Posts: 9,611 Member
    You can try the "this is delicious what is in it?" Or "is that (insert something) I taste?" Usually people making food I find, me being one, are more than happy to fill you in on what wonderful delights they have made
  • Morgaen73
    Morgaen73 Posts: 2,817 Member
    Hiya :)

    I have the same problem. I dont feel comfortable asking friends cause it seems rude and it is awkward in restaurants but I've decided to just ask.
  • froonlautie
    froonlautie Posts: 9
    Haha, tigger :') if only my family were so sane and normal.

    Thank you all for the constructive insight. I guess there isn't so much more to it than perceived social transgressions.
    Polite refusal came up a couple times and that's good for strangers, honesty for friends, carefully put explanations for pan-wielding family... OTL

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