Entering meals on MFP

enter the actual ingredients, not the meal

When you're adding your meals:

- If you're using something packaged (Quinoa, Rice, Low Cal dressings, etc) type the brand name in first! For example: Kraft - Light Ranch dressing.

This should give you a pretty accurate list to choose from. To ensure even further accuracy, compare the serving size listed to the serving size on your food package, or just go ahead and select it and see how many calories/fat/sugars/etc come up in your food diary (you can always edit or remove if its not the right one).

- For Organic/Whole/Fresh ingredients it can be a little more dicey.

Be sure that you are selecting the way its cooked (for example: Zuchinni, you could select raw, fried, baked, boiled (ew) or any number of options). Normally I will select "Generic - Brocolli" or "Generic - Spinach" if there is no label associating the items with a brand.

I recommend getting yourself a good set of measuring spoons/cups (cheap from the dollar store) as well. Takes the guessing out when you're preparing things.

If you're still really unsure, just note when you're looking at your totals at the end of the day that the item you're not sure of could be an overestimation or an underestimation! The totals are really a guide, they wont always be the most accurate.

mamarissy wrote: »

DeguelloTex wrote: »

And when you enter the ingredients, the numbers should match -- or be very, very close to -- what's on the package or at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods

I was gonna make tater tot casserole for dinner so that's a bunch of veggies, soup, meat, and tots. I just want to get my numbers as close to correct as possible.

Use the recipe builder!