Logging at a potluck?

Owlfan88
Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm going to a potluck picnic on Sunday and wondering how and whether to try and log it. I know myself well enough that I will want to try little bits of lots of different things. Many of them homemade, so no way to easily know the calories. How do most people handle this? I can think of several choices...
1. Log the major stuff (in this case I know there will be BBQ sandwiches) and sweets
2. Drive myself batty trying to log or remember everything
3. Don't log at all
4. Something else?

I'm leaning toward number 1 and remembering that this is just one day of the rest of my life. What do you do?

Replies

  • brandi712
    brandi712 Posts: 407 Member
    To be honest, I don't log it. Logging the major stuff would be a good idea but I think it would still be best guess? Are you going to weigh the meat in the sandwiches and the sweets?
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,255 Member
    I would just try to estimate based on food type and portion size. Focus on items you eat the most of and those that are highest in calories. No way can you log accurately in that situation. Have fun and don't drive yourself crazy trying to log. Then join in any games/activities played during the picnic to give yourself a bit of calorie burn.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    I log, and if it is off, oh well. I just pick anything in the database that is named the same and labeled home made that seems reasonable. If I miss something, oh well. Life goes on, and accurate logging continues the next day.
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    I would log the big stuff as a general estimate, and quick add some calories based on how much I eat of other stuff. I wouldn't be worried about being exact-but I would want some kind of estimate for tracking purposes.
  • crazyjerseygirl
    crazyjerseygirl Posts: 1,252 Member
    Honestly, I just log 2000kcal and make the best choices I can. I do that whenever I eat out.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    There's actually a generic "Pot Luck" category in the database that is 450 calories a plate. Of course there's no way of telling what's on the plate or how high the plate is piled, but that sounds about right for what I eat. I usually put in one extra plate than I've actually eaten to allow for the added calories of sweets.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Honestly by now I have a good idea in how many calories are in things, so I just add the calories in my head - 200 calories for 2/3 cup of potato salad, 40 calories of salad, 240 calories for a burger patty, 150 calories for a bun, random 40 calories for condiments etc... then I just do a quick calorie add. Sure, I could be way off, but I would probably be just as off using random entries anyway.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I've tried logging everything, but I've gotten to the point where I just make sure I leave space between my food and I assume I'm eating around 1200 calories.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    personally, i wouldn't bother...i'd just go enjoy myself...note, that doesn't mean going off the rails.
  • sunnyazgirl
    sunnyazgirl Posts: 271 Member
    I try to use the old "vulture" example at a potluck/buffet of "circle twice, land once". I see what is available first, then go back and choose my favorites. Pick up your plate and take serving sizes that allow space between every item. I have used in the past the "potluck" or "buffet" option on the database and that worked for me, but I just saw on another thread where someone said they take a picture of their plate and then log at home later, using best estimates. I like that one and may give it a try next time. It sounds a bit more accurate.:)
  • abrooks54
    abrooks54 Posts: 45 Member
    I'd make sure it's obviously your major meal of the day. Eat very light for breakfast and very light if at all the other meal. Enjoy and move on.
  • crazyjerseygirl
    crazyjerseygirl Posts: 1,252 Member
    sunnyazgirl wrote: »
    I try to use the old "vulture" example at a potluck/buffet of "circle twice, land once". I see what is available first, then go back and choose my favorites. Pick up your plate and take serving sizes that allow space between every item. I have used in the past the "potluck" or "buffet" option on the database and that worked for me, but I just saw on another thread where someone said they take a picture of their plate and then log at home later, using best estimates. I like that one and may give it a try next time. It sounds a bit more accurate.:)


    I really like this as my 2000kcal trick is so I don't spend more time on my phone than being social. I'm gonna try it!
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I would attempt to log it but wouldn't stress about it much. It is 1 meal on one day.
    I would take one plate of food and choose smaller portions. I would eat more vegetables (if they are present) rather than chips or dip. I would try to choose just 1 dessert.
  • pmm3437
    pmm3437 Posts: 529 Member
    Treat it similar to a night out to dinner. Its a special occasion, enjoy it and don't sweat it.

    I wouldn't try to log as you go, it will ruin the occasion.

    If you choose to try to estimate after the fact, be overly generous with your portion sizes, to account for variances. Be aware it will be highly inaccurate and accept that.

    You're right, in the end its just one day in a continuing journey ...

  • Owlfan88
    Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
    Thanks to all. I had no idea there was a potluck listing in the database. I think I will log the major stuff and then do one entry of that for all the bites of various things. It's an annual afternoon potluck and I know from experience that I either want nothing or a very small snack for dinner. So I will just try to make reasonable choices. I'm not going to waste my calories on things I don't really enjoy. For me that includes most store bought goodies and store bought potato or pasta salad. I'll be sure to have a filling but lower cal breakfast so I don't arrive starving. I feel good to have a plan.
  • initialsdeebee
    initialsdeebee Posts: 83 Member
    sunnyazgirl wrote: »
    I try to use the old "vulture" example at a potluck/buffet of "circle twice, land once". I see what is available first, then go back and choose my favorites. Pick up your plate and take serving sizes that allow space between every item. I have used in the past the "potluck" or "buffet" option on the database and that worked for me, but I just saw on another thread where someone said they take a picture of their plate and then log at home later, using best estimates. I like that one and may give it a try next time. It sounds a bit more accurate.:)

    "Circle twice, land once" Haha. This seems like a reasonable and handy approach though. I'm going to a potluck tonight, so this is all good information.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    edited July 2015
    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks to all. I had no idea there was a potluck listing in the database. I think I will log the major stuff and then do one entry of that for all the bites of various things. It's an annual afternoon potluck and I know from experience that I either want nothing or a very small snack for dinner. So I will just try to make reasonable choices. I'm not going to waste my calories on things I don't really enjoy. For me that includes most store bought goodies and store bought potato or pasta salad. I'll be sure to have a filling but lower cal breakfast so I don't arrive starving. I feel good to have a plan.

    I seriously don't get WHY people bring store bought potato or pasta salad! I guess so that they can justify piling their plates with food that people spent hours preparing? One year, at a barbecue, I didn't feel like cooking anything. And I brought something store-bought. Ice Cream Sandwiches! Oh, yes, and they were a hit! If you're going to bring something store-bought, at least bring something that people actually like!
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    When I'm going to an outing like that, I prelog, guesstimating up and adjust later.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    atypicalsmith wrote: »
    Owlfan88 wrote: »
    Thanks to all. I had no idea there was a potluck listing in the database. I think I will log the major stuff and then do one entry of that for all the bites of various things. It's an annual afternoon potluck and I know from experience that I either want nothing or a very small snack for dinner. So I will just try to make reasonable choices. I'm not going to waste my calories on things I don't really enjoy. For me that includes most store bought goodies and store bought potato or pasta salad. I'll be sure to have a filling but lower cal breakfast so I don't arrive starving. I feel good to have a plan.

    I seriously don't get WHY people bring store bought potato or pasta salad! I guess so that they can justify piling their plates with food that people spent hours preparing? One year, at a barbecue, I didn't feel like cooking anything. And I brought something store-bought. Ice Cream Sandwiches! Oh, yes, and they were a hit! If you're going to bring something store-bought, at least bring something that people actually like!

    I don't know, Wegmans makes a pretty good potato salad (obviously, it's been years since I actually had some, but it was good at the time!).

    Potlucks are my downfall anyway. I always eat way too much, but typically I eat the stuff I almost never eat.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    What i've done is to take a picture of my plate with my phone,then go back later and plug it all into MFP the best I can. Its not perfect, but at least you'll get a rough estimate.
  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    crazyjerseygirl wrote: »
    Honestly, I just log 2000kcal and make the best choices I can. I do that whenever I eat out.

    Same.

    Food, and events such as this, should be enjoyed.

  • petitehealth
    petitehealth Posts: 148 Member
    Before a potluck or a BBQ I typically have a big workout and eat light leading up to the event. After eating I do my best to log what I ate as soon as possible so I can remember everything. Or you can just take a quick pic on your phone of your plate and worry about logging it after you get back home..
  • KBmoments
    KBmoments Posts: 193 Member
    Depending on when it is, I would eat very light at breakfast and very light at dinner and would not log the potluck. The next day or two, I'd probably eat a couple hundred cals less or work out a little longer.
  • Owlfan88
    Owlfan88 Posts: 187 Member
    Thanks petitehealth for the idea of taking pictures of my plate. I did that and then did my best estimate of logging once I got home. Based on my guesses I ate a lot of calories, but not over my daily limit. Went a little wild on sweets, but mostly just little tastes of multiple things. I even had calories left for a small dinner/snack.
  • 3proud
    3proud Posts: 21 Member
    What about counting bites? Bites of food are an average of 25 cals a bite. If you allow yourself around 20 bites total, you are look at around 500 cals.
  • Monklady123
    Monklady123 Posts: 512 Member
    My strategy for potlucks, or parties (like the 4th of July party with all its yumminess) is to have an egg white omelet for breakfast -- plain egg whites with maybe one whole egg and tons of veggies such as red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach -- and a big salad for lunch. I might add some chicken breast of sliced deli turkey to the salad for protein. Both of these meals are very low cal, so then for the potluck I have a lot of calories left over. And at the 4th of July I discovered there is an actual entry called "omg a lot of food" or something like that. :smiley: I just put that in and moved on.
  • jonnyman41
    jonnyman41 Posts: 1,032 Member
    I would not bother logging but make sensible choices. It's one meal after all and won't derail what you are doing as long as you are not doing it on a very regular basis. Stick to foods that you know won't be too high in theory like salad, cold cut meats etc
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    3proud wrote: »
    What about counting bites? Bites of food are an average of 25 cals a bite. If you allow yourself around 20 bites total, you are look at around 500 cals.

    So a bite of broccoli is the same as a bite of mac'n cheese?

    I log it all because I like to know how much I have to make up for, even if it's just approximate.
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