"Negative" cals. Do you count them?

seekingthepatienceofjob · January 2012

I was reading on the message boards on what others dont log (gum, mints, meds...)

I came across a few who said they do not log "negative" calories (veggies) because your body burns more calories breaking it down than what you are consuming.

Is that *really* true?

Do you count negative calories?

Why do you agree or disagree?

LabRat529 · January 2012

There is no such thing as a food that has negative calories. There is no such thing as a food that costs more energy to digest than it gives when digested.

I log everything.

When I first started dieting, I didn't log veggies and fruits, but it was just a psychological trick. I knew they had calories in them, but it was nice to have some 'freebies'.

taso42 · January 2012

I came across a few who said they do not log "negative" calories (veggies) because your body burns more calories breaking it down than what you are consuming.

best to avoid people who spout this nonsense

seekingthepatienceofjob · January 2012

There is no such thing as a food that has negative calories. There is no such thing as a food that costs more energy to digest than it gives when digested.

I log everything.

When I first started dieting, I didn't log veggies and fruits, but it was just a psychological trick. I knew they had calories in them, but it was nice to have some 'freebies'.

Thats what I thought. I also count everything. Man, as much as I wanted it to be true...it was too good to be true! :P

lorac321 · January 2012

Don't believe everything you read on this site. WW does not count fruits and veggies as "points" they are free foods. If you are counting calories the MFP way, you should count everything you put in your mouth. Some fruits are also high in sugar.

engineman312 · January 2012

it never even crossed my mind to count gum, mints, or meds (other then a daily vitamin) until a couple of days ago.

i still continue to be awesome.

stop over thinking things.

gum did not make you over weight.

lorac321 · January 2012

Oh, I do not count gum, vitamins or medications.

LabRat529 · January 2012

it never even crossed my mind to count gum, mints, or meds (other then a daily vitamin) until a couple of days ago.

i still continue to be awesome.

stop over thinking things.

gum did not make you over weight.

Okay... I lied. I don't log EVERYTHING. I don't log gum. I don't log mints. I don't think 5 calories here or there is going to make or break my diet.

sarah44254 · January 2012

I guess if you log in some negative workouts you could skip logging food. The energy you burn to digest anything is added into your daily energy expendature (the calories MFP thinks you need to live). So if you are counting those burned from eating veggies, I guess you didn't 'live' as hard as you did before you started eating veggies.

edit:
yeah, I can't explain for crap.

log food. workout. get fit. not worth skipping 'freebies'.

AlbertPooHoles · January 2012

Here's a tip: If you run across anything like this in the forums, Google it, adding the word "myth" to the end of it.

For example...

"negative calories foods myth"
"hcg myth"
"eating at night myth"
"eating lots of smaller meals myth"

seekingthepatienceofjob · January 2012

Here's a tip: If you run across anything like this in the forums, Google it, adding the word "myth" to the end of it.

For example...

"negative calories foods myth"
"hcg myth"
"eating at night myth"
"eating lots of smaller meals myth"

Thanks, I never even thought of that!

melaniecheeks · January 2012

Celery is the most notorious of so-called "negative calorie" foods.

I log it, and spinach, and tomato, and ...ooooh...everything i eat. Cos I also want credit for the fibre, vitamins, and proteins, as well as noting the carbs that I've taken in.

Isn't it easier to just log it, rather than deicide - is this on the list of what I do record, or is it on the list of stuff I dont?

Rae6503 · January 2012

I don't log diet sodas (yes, I drink them), some condiments (mustard and hot sauce), or gum.

killagb · January 2012

Celery is the most notorious of so-called "negative calorie" foods.

I log it, and spinach, and tomato, and ...ooooh...everything i eat. Cos I also want credit for the fibre, vitamins, and proteins, as well as noting the carbs that I've taken in.

Isn't it easier to just log it, rather than deicide - is this on the list of what I do record, or is it on the list of stuff I dont?

Your body gives you credit whenever it's logged or not. :smokin:

ninerbuff · January 2012

I was reading on the message boards on what others dont log (gum, mints, meds...)

I came across a few who said they do not log "negative" calories (veggies) because your body burns more calories breaking it down than what you are consuming.

Is that *really* true?

Do you count negative calories?

Why do you agree or disagree?

There are no negative calorie foods.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Nopedotjpeg · January 2012

Log it or don't; just don't bull**** yourself.

jennywren1971 · January 2012

I log fruit and vegetables because they have calories and those calories make up a good bit of my intake for a day.

Ww and other programs don't allocate points to some fruit and vegetables because they want you. To eat more of them and because they are very filling. They have already calculated the average intake of these foods in their weight loss calculations. Plus vegetables are very filling so you aren't likely to overeat on veges,

This program does things differently so you need to add them in.

Jorra · January 2012

Don't believe everything you read on this site. WW does not count fruits and veggies as "points" they are free foods. If you are counting calories the MFP way, you should count everything you put in your mouth. Some fruits are also high in sugar.

What does the WW program have to do with MFP? WW makes these foods free to encourage people to eat more of them, that doesn't mean they have no calories.

gingerb85 · January 2012

I log everything but gum because I may chew one stick a week, so I know it's not going to break the bank. :^) And there is no such thing as a negative calorie unless you are talking about the ones you burn.

onedayillbamilf · January 2012

Count meds? Interesting, very interesting.

Keiras_Mom · January 2012

I log everything: vitamins, coffee, tea, diet soda. The only thing I don't log is my Beta blocker, and only because I looked it up and it says 0 calories anyway. But then again, I'm a tad OCD. :-)

jetscreaminagain · January 2012

I don't count gum because I could easily be confused for a diner waitress named Flo if you just went by how much gum I chew. Its ridiculous.

i do try to log my vitamins and such because I'm bad about taking them, so in a month when I'm pissed that I'm still anemic, I know I only have myself and my poor med compliance to blame. If I took them, I would not log Clozaril, Depakote, Haldol, Risperdal, Prozac, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or an anti-retroviral. My friends see my diary, you see.

Other than that. I log. Except on the days that are hectic. I also remain awesome on all of the days.

However, I never fell for that stupid "negative" calories silliness. Good for you for being skeptical.

kekl · January 2012

I don't log all the 'normal' stuff to not log (gum, diet soda, water, etc)

I don't log lettuce either but I know it has calories, just very few.

"Negative" cals. Do you count them?

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