Eat Smart Salad Kits

chauntellebrewer
chauntellebrewer Posts: 6 Member
edited November 7 in Food and Nutrition
Hi Ya'll,

I absolutely LOVE the Eat Smart sweet kale salad kit, but I'm starting to think it's not as good for me as I initially thought? I find myself eating an entire kit for lunch, but that could easily pack in 600 calories (I'm on a 1200 calorie a day plan). Just wondering what your experiences and/or thoughts are on this product?

Thanks!

Replies

  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    If it fits your calories and macros then there isn’t a problem. Why do you feel the need to eat 1200 a day with only 21 lbs. to lose?
  • LakeCountyDiver
    LakeCountyDiver Posts: 50 Member
    Hello,

    Any "kit" is garbage. It is laced with preservatives to keep it "frash".. The veggies used are sub-par and covered in chemicals. Any salad that is not made from fresh veggies is truly crap. Do your self a favor and make your own. Watch the dressing and meat choice as that can ramp up the calories. Eggs are a great choice of meat as they are super healthy and low in calories. Dont ever use cut up sandwich meat that most "kits" have. Use spinach and or kale not lettuces.

    Good luck!!
  • LakeCountyDiver
    LakeCountyDiver Posts: 50 Member
    I dont know how anyone can ONLY eat 1200 calories a day. How in the heck do you spread that out all day? I struggle at 2000 a day.
  • chauntellebrewer
    chauntellebrewer Posts: 6 Member
    Honestly, I've only started this yesterday and what my "plan" has outline for me is 1200 calories a day. I try to have a lean breakfast and lunch, as well as low calorie snacks throughout the day. My biggest calorie intake is supper.

    I'll scrap the salad kits and stick to making my own salads from here on out. Thanks for the advice!
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    What plan are you using?
  • StrongAtLast
    StrongAtLast Posts: 137 Member
    I say, if it helps you eat more greens and vegetables, I would do it. There's often times I'm crunched on time, and it's either a "kit" or fast food. Guess which one is better?
  • chauntellebrewer
    chauntellebrewer Posts: 6 Member
    I'm just going by what MFP has outlined for me. I'm not sure why the calorie intake is so low... I work out a lot and get some of the carloies back, but still.

    Sometimes it's easier to grab the kit on my way to work and I don't feel as guilty about eating as compared to grabbing take out.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    What did you set for your activity level?

    What did you set for your weekly weight loss goal?
  • chauntellebrewer
    chauntellebrewer Posts: 6 Member
    My activity level is sedentary as I have a desk job and will be back in classes from 9-5 in the fall. That being said however, I do workout at least 5 times a week. Usually 45 mins of cardio and then weights.

    My weight loss goal is 2 pounds per week.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Sedentary is for people who don't exercise at all like those confined to bed or a wheelchair. Despite your desk job, you burn calories by cleaning, walking around in the office, mall shopping, doing laundry, etc. You are at least "Lightly Active". With 21 lbs. to lose, 2 lbs. a week is drastic. Change it to 1 lb. per week. Adjusting these settings will give you more food to eat. Add your exercise calories and eat back some of those to meet your body's nutrients requirement for good health and to properly fuel your workouts. These are just estimates but you could still lose more some weeks and less other weeks.

    As a rule of thumb, the following weekly targets would give a balance between minimizing negative side effects and seeing a reasonable weekly weight loss:

    More than 75 lbs. 2 lbs./week
    40-75 lbs. 1.5 lbs./week
    10-40 lbs. 1 lb./week
    Less than 10 lbs. 0.5 lb./week

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • svkalra
    svkalra Posts: 10 Member
    I had this kit today with a chick patty, and I'm shocked at the calories. I feel robbed because I just assumed it would be good for you. I don't even have the package, I figured I would have just googled the calories to log it in.

    I'm going to stick to my meal preps for lunch, which is usually 5 ounces of chicken or fish, 2 vegetables and some rice or quinoa. It has far better macros and taste even better.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    "Good for you" =/= "Low Calorie"
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    "Good for you" =/= "Low Calorie"

    Depending what your goals and needs are "good for you" can mean just about anything.
  • JenHuedy
    JenHuedy Posts: 611 Member
    edited May 2016
    The dressing is the biggest calorie bomb in those kits. Swap the included dressing for a lower calorie version. Maybe the Bolthouse Sweet Onion or Panera Fat Free Poppyseed.

    Edited to add: Or just use half of the included dressing.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    extra_medium wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    "Good for you" =/= "Low Calorie"

    Depending what your goals and needs are "good for you" can mean just about anything.

    Agreed. I didn't have a good shorthand for "not necessarily equals". Daily on these boards we see "Good for you" and "Healthy" equated with low calorie, and it ain't necessarily so.
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I love those kits. For me one whole salad kit makes a nice lunch or I cook up some meat to add to it and get some good bread, to make a good dinner. For me 600 calories is a very reasonable number for lunch and a little low for dinner. But really what matters is how you fit it into your own goal.

    If it fits. I eats. :)
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