Prepackaged meals, how do I figure out calories??

valkc1953
valkc1953 Posts: 32 Member
in Recipes
My hubby has high BP & so do I. I bought low-sodium prepackaged meals but they all say how many calories "as prepared." If I change the ingredients from the food, such as unsalted butter, how do I figure out exactly what the sodium is & how much of the food is a serving? For instance....low sodium chicken Rice A Roni. Help please!!

Replies

  • taco_inspector
    taco_inspector Posts: 7,223 Member
    edited November 2018
    You might look at the manufacturer's website... They often will have the "As Packaged" nutritional data...
    Using the "As Packaged" data as the baseline, you can then log everything you add to that as 'normal'.
    http://www.ricearoni.com/products/Rice-A-Roni/Chicken <--- Looks like Rice-A-Roni might have ya covered, if you can find their low-sodium flavors...

    Also, often the MFP food database will have the "As Packaged" data -- you can add "As Packaged" to your searched in the MFP data to come up with something like this:
    https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/update_nutrition_facts/585782810?date=2018-11-13&show_controls=true


  • valkc1953
    valkc1953 Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks! I made it more confusing than I had to didn't I?? LOL
  • taco_inspector
    taco_inspector Posts: 7,223 Member
    edited November 2018
    valkc1953 wrote: »
    Thanks! I made it more confusing than I had to didn't I?? LOL

    NOPE... the data in the MFP Food Database is not the cleanest -- but a little digging an verification can go a long way ...

    Adding the little "As Packaged" to your search can help too -

    Remember, if you're using MFP o a mobile device, and you come across a bad food database entry, you can identifyit to someone:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10704872/report-incorrect-foods-on-myfitnesspal



  • poisonesse
    poisonesse Posts: 527 Member
    edited November 2018
    and just so you know, most of those prepackaged foods that call for one or two tablespoons of butter... you don't need it at all. I never add oil/butter to prepacked rice mixes (Zatarain, Goya, ect) So if a package says it's XX calories per serving, and 4 servings per package... figure the calorie count of the butter, divide it by 4 (serving size) then deduct those calories (and sodium!) from your serving. It's more work, but it DOES work. ;) OH... but first make sure that the butter isn't "optional"... because if it is, it isn't counted in the "prepared" data anyway.
  • Phoebe5164
    Phoebe5164 Posts: 79 Member
    I’d try to stick with as natural a food as possible, rice a roni could be replaced with basmati rice , make a whole pot and freeze it i bags ...

    Mrs dash has good no salt herb mixes ,

    Your body and taste will get used to the low sodium ... trust me 🌸
  • valkc1953
    valkc1953 Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks all!!

Categories