We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Question??

missjones93
missjones93 Posts: 74 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
How do you guys log food that has no menu nutrition guide. Like say you go out to dinner - and you have a meal but you're not really sure how many calories it was, serving size, etc...

I'm at a loss - and I would love to record my mexican food (it's my weakness)!

Replies

  • nateraemom
    nateraemom Posts: 16
    If I'm at a restaurant and I want to know the calorie count of a particular meal, I will ask my server. Typically they have a nutritional guide in the kitchen they can refer to. Rarely do I have someone come back without an answer.
  • skcornett
    skcornett Posts: 169 Member
    It's great when a restaurant has a nutrition guide - most of the national chains do. But when they don't (like my favorite neighborhood dives), I just have to do my best to "guesstimate."

    For example, love the steamed chicken dumplings at my local Chinese food place, but they don't have their info available. So, I use the Wegman's steamed dumplings in the database as a stand-in. They are comparable in portions and serving size.

    A little bit of unsolicited advice: one day won't make or break you, so if you are a little off with the numbers it's okay. This is a long journey and it all averages out.
  • missjones93
    missjones93 Posts: 74 Member
    Thanks guys - I just decided that I should log every item of my meal separately as generic or a restaurant similar. Surely that won't hurt - right?
  • Ali65
    Ali65 Posts: 15
    I know it is tidious, but I estimate the food items, mix veggies, rice (cooked), tortilla or do specific search. I love my mexican food, since I used to make a lot! The rice is a big calorie intake for some reason...great!
    Good luck!
    M
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    If you know of a restaurant with a similar meal, I'd use that. Otherwise, each piece individually will be better.
  • missjones93
    missjones93 Posts: 74 Member
    Yeah - I done each individually which was a lot of calories so I assume that it is correct lol. Thanks guys!
  • jessnate0417
    jessnate0417 Posts: 7
    Yeah - I done each individually which was a lot of calories so I assume that it is correct lol. Thanks guys!

    I estimate each one individually as well and I notice I can estimate the serving sizes a little easier that way....Like with Fajitas (my weakness) I break it all down, some things I use less of and some more. It has worked for me so far :)
  • missjones93
    missjones93 Posts: 74 Member
    I agree - not only that but then I know it's fairly accurate
This discussion has been closed.

Categories