Local Restaurants

slacy2012
slacy2012 Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2 in Food and Nutrition
Whenever I start MyFitnessPal (or Fitbit) I always run into the same problem. Whether I'm counting or not, I avoid big chain restaurants. But small independent restaurants don't often have nutritional info, so I end up guessing. I feel confident with my calorie guesses, but I don't even try fat/protein/carb guesses because I don't have the first clue. This leaves big holes in my daily data.

To me, MFP should measure my eating, not determine it. If I only eat things that are on MFP (which I've tried), then my program is doomed from the start. So how do other people guess nutritional info for prepared meals? Is there a place to load a picture and have someone with more experience make a guess?

Replies

  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    Personally, I try to have things that are easy to figure out. Like steak and baked potato. But that's me. I avoid anything with sauces because usually they'll be too high calorie for me. Chicken, steak, seafood, veggies, are all easy to determine, and then just guestimate on anything else?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Camish911
    Camish911 Posts: 150 Member
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    Personally, I try to have things that are easy to figure out. Like steak and baked potato. But that's me. I avoid anything with sauces because usually they'll be too high calorie for me. Chicken, steak, seafood, veggies, are all easy to determine, and then just guestimate on anything else?

    o0o0o that's a good idea. I'm going to start copying you
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I think it is good to put yourself in situations where you do have to try to make estimates. Not necessarily of fat/protein/carb grams but of serving sizes and calories. If you someday want to be able to maintain your weight while not logging, you need to practice the skills to get there. Completely avoiding developing estimating skills is kind of like avoiding going into the water until you learn how to swim.
  • Samuraiko
    Samuraiko Posts: 180 Member
    I have submitted requests to some of my local restaurants to please include a nutritional info PDF or something for folks who are watching their weight, concerned about food allergies, etc. Some have since added one. Others had one but it was only available on request (which I thought was kind of odd, and told their mgmt as much).

    But adding my voice to the chorus above. Also, having eaten at some of the larger chains, I'll approximate with a local place, and maybe just be a bit more cautious about my calories for the next day or so, just in case.
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    It's not at all ideal but if I'm too lazy to attempt a re-creation in the recipe builder, I'll search for the chain restaurant equivalent and usually pick the "worst" looking one stat-wise just to be on the safe side.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Pick a comparable item in the MFP database. The macros should already be in there. It's not perfect, but should get you in the ballpark.
  • slacy2012
    slacy2012 Posts: 2 Member
    I may go with the "worst case scenario" mentioned. I honestly don't go to chains for anything other than social events or the occasional burger. But there's a local Lebanese place and a local Vietnamese/Italian place (and others) near where I live that I'm going to go to, regardless of logging or not. I have very little frame-of-reference for chains, so if I just pick a dish from a chain that sounds like theirs... well that's a lot like thinking two cars are similar because they're both blue.. so I might as well be guessing anyway.
  • jcow84
    jcow84 Posts: 75 Member
    If you eat out on occasion it won't really be a huge deal for logging purposes. I just eat out less (3x a month maybe) and then not worry too much. I love supporting small restaurants and wouldn't eat at chains unless I have to even if it is easier to count calories when frequenting them.
  • snerggly
    snerggly Posts: 112 Member
    RoseTheWarrior wrote: »
    Personally, I try to have things that are easy to figure out. Like steak and baked potato. But that's me. I avoid anything with sauces because usually they'll be too high calorie for me. Chicken, steak, seafood, veggies, are all easy to determine, and then just guestimate on anything else?

    This is a smart plan actually. I don't eat meat but I get your point on picking stuff easy to determine!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories