Counting at parties?

mtnbkr76
mtnbkr76 Posts: 5 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm going to a social gathering this afternoon and I don't know how to estimate calories in the food. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    well, you have a few options. you can cancel... or you can go to the party and instead of picking at stuff and drinking a lot and then having a big main course, you just wait and scope out the food. try and find some healthy options, like veggie/carrot sticks and hummus or a salad. find out what some big main plates are going to be, and log those in. even estimating calories is better than nothing.


    scared some people might comment on your lack of eating?

    friend "oh hey, why aren't you eating these deep fried mac and cheese balls i made?"
    you "oh, i had a late breakfast so i'm not really hungry, but i can't wait for those [whatever healthy option] to come out!"
  • La5Vega5Girl
    La5Vega5Girl Posts: 709 Member
    try to estimate in your head. a serving of meat should be about the size of a deck of cards (thickness and width, etc.) - most people today serve at least twice that. a serving of nuts is about the palm of your hand. try to eat beforehand so you can measure exactly, then eat lightly at the party. drink water so you don't have to worry about alcohol calories, which add up fast. skip dessert, or take a slice of cake/pie and only eat half so you can be sure to save calories that way. if it's a sit-down meal, i would personally just not worry about it...would rather enjoy friends and visiting. a gathering where it's a buffet or cocktail-hour is much easier to guess on calories, IMO.
  • mtnbkr76
    mtnbkr76 Posts: 5 Member
    Thank you both! I know there will be brisket and I'm hoping for Cole slaw! :-)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    smader76 wrote: »
    Thank you both! I know there will be brisket and I'm hoping for Cole slaw! :-)

    now i'm hungry
  • gigmaster
    gigmaster Posts: 20 Member
    Take a note pad with you (or use your smart phone), and log what you eat and drink.

    I do it the easy way. I avoid social gatherings whenever possible.
  • La5Vega5Girl
    La5Vega5Girl Posts: 709 Member
    gigmaster wrote: »
    Take a note pad with you (or use your smart phone), and log what you eat and drink.

    I do it the easy way. I avoid social gatherings whenever possible.

    that's not the easy way; that's the sad way :\

  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    I usually skip logging with social gatherings. Too much trouble.
  • bean_jean
    bean_jean Posts: 12 Member
    Or you can snap a photo of your plate and use it to remember what you ate when you track it.
  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    I estimate and I figure a party is only once in a while anyway, so even if I'm off a bit, it won't make or break things.
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