Not logging fruits & veggies?

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I hate the idea that people eat more if free and not if you log--I think it encourages a distinction between "bad" and "good" foods and the idea that logging foods is bad and eating (or logging) less is more. I like to think of my log as a picture of what I eat where I encourage myself to eat (and log) foods, not merely a record of calories (so adding food is a generally positive thing, as it contributes to my health or enjoyment).

The upside to the WW system is that it encourages people to get in the habit of eating more fruits and veggies. This may be better for a lot of people in the long run than simply logging points with WW's.

I don't log vegetables, they're so low calorie it's never been a problem. Always log fruit though, look at the nutritionals for a banana or avocado for example, you don't want to not log those sort of numbers. For simplicity you could just take your carb macros target and take 10% off it for veg and leave it unlogged. But fruit really can't be ignored if you're trying to hit certain numbers.

ahamm002 wrote: »

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I hate the idea that people eat more if free and not if you log--I think it encourages a distinction between "bad" and "good" foods and the idea that logging foods is bad and eating (or logging) less is more. I like to think of my log as a picture of what I eat where I encourage myself to eat (and log) foods, not merely a record of calories (so adding food is a generally positive thing, as it contributes to my health or enjoyment).

The upside to the WW system is that it encourages people to get in the habit of eating more fruits and veggies. This may be better for a lot of people in the long run than simply logging points with WW's.

Maybe, but I don't think it really teaches them about creating a balanced diet.

What I dislike is the idea that if a food is "good" there's no need to log it (as if it doesn't have calories) and the seeming equation between "good" and assumed low calories. And, especially, the idea that the only reason to log would be to keep track of calories, which should be kept at a minimum. IMO, logging is more likely to encourage you to eat more, if you think of actively trying to get more (and get a variety too).

I log to keep track of whether I'm getting enough of various things, like protein and fiber and fruits and veggies, so not logging them would not allow me to count. My thought is that it's better to see the goal as a positive one--actively trying to eat things that are good for you--and not merely avoiding calories.

Beyond that, of course, it's best to be accurate and be able to see what you really ate in a particular day. If you were really hungry one day and ate few veggies and felt great another where you ate more, you couldn't see it if you never logged them.

I log everything. my 248 g apple has about 120 calories....track your food. Period. Weigh it, log it, eat it. Simple

linamisiute wrote: »

It just a question, i dont think fruits or veggies will make you gain weight or make you fat!
I was asking that because my friend on weight watchers and they don't count fruits and veggies( im not talking here about high calories veggies like avocados and potatoes) .

The calorie value of Weight Watchers points start really low. So the added calories of fruits & veggies don't bring you over goal. If you set your goal low enough here....you're at the same place.

WW does this to encourage consumption of fruits & veggies, and in most cases it's not something people binge on.

My rule has always been if it doesn't have a label don't track it.

ok not logging a cup of lettuce is one thing, but if your eating bananas and avacados, apples, w/e you should be logging them or your lying to yourself.

wizzybeth wrote: »

lemurcat12 wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

linamisiute wrote: »

It just a question, i dont think fruits or veggies will make you gain weight or make you fat!
I was asking that because my friend on weight watchers and they don't count fruits and veggies( im not talking here about high calories veggies like avocados and potatoes) .

No food in particular makes you fat. Eating over maintenance causes you to gain weight. If you're eating at maintenance, and then you add a few hundred calories in fruit every day-you will gain weight.

I don't know what's up with weight watchers.

I think WW gives you fewer calories (through the bizarre points system) and then free fruits and veggies with the thought that you will fill up on those and it will encourage you to eat more. I hate the idea that people eat more if free and not if you log--I think it encourages a distinction between "bad" and "good" foods and the idea that logging foods is bad and eating (or logging) less is more. I like to think of my log as a picture of what I eat where I encourage myself to eat (and log) foods, not merely a record of calories (so adding food is a generally positive thing, as it contributes to my health or enjoyment).

In addition to just wanting to be accurate, it's another reason why logging everything is important.

Also, it's quite possible to get lots of calories from apples or even brussels sprouts, as others have said. I too estimate greens from time to time.

I didn't see your post when I added mine.

The OLD WW FlexPoints system was better, IMHO - it assigned a points value based on calories per serving (more complicated than that, it also took into account fiber and fat). Most fruits, except for bananas and avocado, if I recall correctly, were 1 point PER SERVING. Bananas were 2 points. Strawberries had a larger serving size but were still 1 point.

Most veggies, except for peas, carrots, and corn, I think - were less than 50 calories per serving so they were given a 0 points value. They did make it clear that it is per serving. Peas, corn, and carrots, (I think carrots...I forget, it's been so long) were 1 point per serving.

This new system makes no sense to me and seems more complex than the old one. I bet they came up with it because the Flex system was easy to research and figure it out without having to join WW and pay their fees. Changing the system made it new and hard to search the web for rogue information leaks and making people join to learn how to use it. LOL that's my suspicion anyway.

I LOVED FlexPoints. I lost a lot of weight. Then it went to Winning Points or something and things fell apart for me. MFP is so much better. I just need to be more consistent about logging, and that is on me.

linamisiute wrote: »

It just a question, i dont think fruits or veggies will make you gain weight or make you fat!
I was asking that because my friend on weight watchers and they don't count fruits and veggies( im not talking here about high calories veggies like avocados and potatoes) .

When it comes to salads, I tend to generalize it in my log. However, if I add a hard boiled egg, avacado, cheese, or other bonus toppings; then I will itemize the bonuses. My calorie count is also not an exact science. If I get close to my limit then I know I need to do a few more situps before bed or go for a longer after dinner walk.

lolaandbehold wrote: »

linamisiute wrote: »

It just a question, i dont think fruits or veggies will make you gain weight or make you fat!
I was asking that because my friend on weight watchers and they don't count fruits and veggies( im not talking here about high calories veggies like avocados and potatoes) .

I was thinking the same thing because I previously did weight watchers and you could have as much fruit and veg as you wanted.

You can have as much as you want here too. Just log them and don't go over your total calories. If you are counting calories, it's foolish not to count the calories in fruits and veggies and WW does, in a way, since it reduces overall points to account for the fruits and veggies you are supposed to eat (and I think there's a cap on the uncounted amounts).

I almost always log them. The only time that I'm realizing I don't is when I have a sandwich or hamburger and don't count the lettuce, pickles, tomatoes that I put it them. I think when I do remember to search and add those things it's like, 20 or so calories. I think I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, so not logging them wouldn't work for me. I could live off of fruits + Tajin.