How do you track food without a label?

xomg660
xomg660 Posts: 6
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
Alright so I'm trying to be sure of the exact amount of calories that I eat. So should you avoid eating food that doesn't have a label on it or should you estimate based on what you find on the database? I'm not talking about fruit/vegetables, I'm talking about food in restaurants etc. I usually cook for my self since I live on my own in College now, but I occasionally go out with friends.

Replies

  • Laurend224
    Laurend224 Posts: 1,748 Member
    Some restaurants post nutritional info online, or even have it on the menu.
  • xomg660
    xomg660 Posts: 6
    edited January 2015
    Laurend224 wrote: »
    Some restaurants post nutritional info online, or even have it on the menu.

    The small business restaurants do not, I have tried looking that up but couldn't find anything on it.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Some people guess and log the guess because they want to see a total that's as close as it can be.

    Others skip the meal because they see no point in posting calories that aren't accurate.

    It's your diary and you get to pick how it works.

    I try to avoid eating in places where they don't give any info, but that can be difficult.
  • xomg660
    xomg660 Posts: 6
    edited January 2015
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Some people guess and log the guess because they want to see a total that's as close as it can be.

    Others skip the meal because they see no point in posting calories that aren't accurate.

    It's your diary and you get to pick how it works.

    I try to avoid eating in places where they don't give any info, but that can be difficult.
    Yeah, the only reason why I'm trying to be so accurate is because if there is any stalls in weight loss, I'd like to know how many calories I was eating during the weeks prior to the stall.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    xomg660 wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Some people guess and log the guess because they want to see a total that's as close as it can be.

    Others skip the meal because they see no point in posting calories that aren't accurate.

    It's your diary and you get to pick how it works.

    I try to avoid eating in places where they don't give any info, but that can be difficult.
    Yeah, the only reason why I'm trying to be so accurate is because if there is any stalls in weight loss, I'd like to know how many calories I was eating during the weeks prior to the stall.
    I totally get that! :)
  • daw0518
    daw0518 Posts: 459 Member
    If I'm really trying to stay on track and end up somewhere with no online nutrition info, I try to order something kind of generic - like a turkey burger or a salad of some sort. Something that I know most places sell & I'd be able to estimate more accurately with info from another website.
  • stormyview
    stormyview Posts: 81 Member
    I always break it out into components. For a pasta dinner for example, it might be a cup of tomato purée, some onions, etc. Then I look at how oily it looks. If it doesn't look oily at all, I might just add 2 tablespoons (not teaspoons--restaurant food is oily!), but often for a pasta with tomato sauce, I might add 3 tablespoons. I'd rather be over than under, so I guess on the high side.
  • MsHarryWinston
    MsHarryWinston Posts: 1,027 Member
    Well I went out for dinner tonight and when there is no online info I try to go with things that will be fairly simple to add. Steak and mashed potatoes for me tonight. Add steak, add potatoes maybe add a tablespoon of butter and you're pretty covered. I never eat pasta when I go out anymore, ESPECIALLY if the info isn't posted online.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I would just go with the closest thing you can find in the database. If you know ahead of time that you will be going out, you can save some calories for dinner. Also, you should keep some healthier choices in mind for restaurants. For example: It might be hard to guesstimate things like enchiladas smothered in sauce and cheese, but you can usually order a chicken breast or steak dinner without sauce. Get side salad, (extra lettuce and tomato at Mexican restaurants) no dressing--use salsa or lemon instead. Healthier sides would be steamed veggies, whole beans (like black or boracho/ranchero) instead of refried, corn on cob w/out butter. Clear broth-based soups with veggies are also good. Another idea is to immediately divide your plate in half--eat half and take the rest home. Restaurants generally have large portions anyway, and it feels like you got a free meal the next day:)
  • DeWoSa
    DeWoSa Posts: 496 Member
    edited January 2015
    xomg660 wrote: »
    Alright so I'm trying to be sure of the exact amount of calories that I eat. So should you avoid eating food that doesn't have a label on it or should you estimate based on what you find on the database? I'm not talking about fruit/vegetables, I'm talking about food in restaurants etc. I usually cook for my self since I live on my own in College now, but I occasionally go out with friends.

    I use the USDA nutrition database. It has all the foods.

    The MFP database isn't always accurate.
  • vikkiitoria
    vikkiitoria Posts: 110 Member
    Like others have said, check the restaurant's website and you're likely to find some nutritional information on there. If you can't find anything just estimate. When you're out, try to pick the most healthy food you can, and you should be safe. I'd reccomend not stressing about it. When i first join MFP, i was counting every single thing i ate. I would avoid eating out because I was worried I wouldn't be able to find the calories, portions etc. Just make healthy choices, count what you can and you'll be fine :)
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