Different Calorie Counts For Same Foods on MFP!!

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ponyvillalobos
ponyvillalobos Posts: 37 Member
in Food and Nutrition
What is up with all of the different calorie counts on MyFitnessPal?
I am talking for the same items and measurement of food??
How do I know which one to trust?

Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
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    The database is user controlled which means a lot of entries are going to be off or completely wrong. Best bet is to weigh your food and use the package information or USDA website.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
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    cross referencing like chef_barbell said.Thats the only way to know if its correct or not.
  • Susieq_1994
    Susieq_1994 Posts: 5,361 Member
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    Basically what the others said. Cross reference packaging information for packaged items, or google "calories in... <insert single food item here>" and the USDA info comes up. For example, I can Google "calories in eggplant" and a full nutrition information package pops up, sourced from the USDA.
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
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    I either scan the barcode,
    or when I search for something I'll throw in "USDA".
    Also helps if you use "cooked" or "raw", and "ounce".
    Unless you've put a recipe together, DON'T use "homemade", or someone's private recipe.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
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    MKEgal wrote: »
    I either scan the barcode,
    or when I search for something I'll throw in "USDA".
    Also helps if you use "cooked" or "raw", and "ounce".
    Unless you've put a recipe together, DON'T use "homemade", or someone's private recipe.

    barcodes are also known to be off as well.so gotta be careful with that also
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    edited October 2016
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    I enter all the foods myself manually that way I know they're always going to be correct. I never use the database, also then you can delete foods from your list too, you can't if you use the database.
    CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »
    MKEgal wrote: »
    I either scan the barcode,
    or when I search for something I'll throw in "USDA".
    Also helps if you use "cooked" or "raw", and "ounce".
    Unless you've put a recipe together, DON'T use "homemade", or someone's private recipe.

    barcodes are also known to be off as well.so gotta be careful with that also

    When you scan the barcode all MFP does is search through the database for that entry so could still be incorrectly entered.
  • ponyvillalobos
    ponyvillalobos Posts: 37 Member
    edited October 2016
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    Thanks, guys.

    A couple more questions.

    1)How are you guys scanning barcodes? Do I need a certain device for this?

    2) Is there a reliable recipe calculator?

    For example, I just made lentil soup with the below recipe. I used some calculator online that said it was 366 calories for 2 cups. Does that seem correct?

    1lb package of dry lentils
    1/2 cup chopped onion
    1/2 cup chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped carrot
    1/4 olive oil
    3 garlic cloves
    1 cup of chopped tomatoes
    8 cups of chicken stock.

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
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    ponyvillalobos wrote: »
    Thanks, guys.

    A couple more questions.

    1)How are you guys scanning barcodes? Do I need a certain device for this?

    2) Is there a reliable recipe calculator?

    For example, I just made lentil soup with the below recipe. I used some calculator online that said it was 366 calories for 2 cups. Does that seem correct?

    1lb package of dry lentils
    1/2 cup chopped onion
    1/2 cup chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped carrot
    1/4 olive oil
    3 garlic cloves
    1 cup of chopped tomatoes
    8 cups of chicken stock.

    The mobile apps have a barcode scanner.
    MFP has its own recipe builder. Enter the ingredients and serving size in and it'll calculate the calories for you.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
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    ponyvillalobos wrote: »
    Thanks, guys.

    A couple more questions.

    1)How are you guys scanning barcodes? Do I need a certain device for this?

    2) Is there a reliable recipe calculator?

    For example, I just made lentil soup with the below recipe. I used some calculator online that said it was 366 calories for 2 cups. Does that seem correct?

    1lb package of dry lentils
    1/2 cup chopped onion
    1/2 cup chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped carrot
    1/4 olive oil
    3 garlic cloves
    1 cup of chopped tomatoes
    8 cups of chicken stock.

    I don't scan barcodes. It's more a pain for me than just doing a search and making sure the calorie count is correct.

    For recipes, there's a recipe builder (but I don't use volumes, I use weight).
  • ponyvillalobos
    ponyvillalobos Posts: 37 Member
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    I find the recipe doesn't have all my options for the ingredients. Thanks for your help everybody! I will look online for a different calculator.
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
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    ponyvillalobos wrote: »
    I find the recipe doesn't have all my options for the ingredients. Thanks for your help everybody! I will look online for a different calculator.

    If you find one better than MFP let us know :laugh:

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