You don't use a food scale?

Back in the student days I often used to eat certain meal kits because I loved the taste. There's usually a starch in there, a marinade and a sauce. Never looked at the calorie count of this in the past.

I recently had the urge to try one of those again after having moved back here 10 years later. I looked at the calorie count, but couldn't figure out how much is in there as it only provides 100gr and serving of prepared product, and 100gr dry product (how much of what used for that?). Contacted them and found out all in the package clocks in at a staggering 1142kcal. Plus creme fresh, oil for marinade and cooking, an apple, veggies and chicken. I weighed out everything I put in (very generous on veggies, otherwise per instruction) and found I had 4 dinners of 550kcal right here. I used to eat half a pack of those in an evening!

Btw, it tastes quite gross Shame for the nice veggies. I guess this is something for people who don't like the taste of food as the rather unremarkable sauce and marinade overpowers everything. Still tastes like I remember it though

My scales broke this weekend and I am waiting on my replacements (live rurally) - was surprised at the slight brain meltdown as I tried to eyeball portions again. Have always appreciated my scales - now I know they are critical to me

It's really odd how some food labels tell you serving sizes in cups or numbers of pieces. Like how do you measure popcorn with a cup or numbers of chips in a serving when they're different sizes? I weigh everything, down to the last peanut.

@gagirl115 I haven't seen many people say they feel it's worth paying for premium. I'd wait a while and see how you like the app before you start paying for something you probably don't need.

For your other questions about logging your food and so on, check out these threads:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1

I'd also suggest reading the other "most helpful" stickied posts at the top of each forum section - tons of good advice in them!

And don't aim to "stay under" 1200 calories. You should be eating at least that amount, to ensure good nutrition. If you exercise, eat those extra calories as well. Your calorie goal will have your regular daily activity accounted for, depending on what you set it to, so any purposeful exercise should be added in. (The "most helpful" posts will explain all this.)

And lastly, if you've set your rate of loss to 2lbs per week then change it unless you have a lot of weight to lose (75lbs+). For most people, 1lb/week is a good rate unless you just have a few vanity pounds to lose. Aim to eat as much as you can whilst still losing!