Counting Fruit & Veggies

natwmartinez
natwmartinez Posts: 22
in Food and Nutrition
I need to know if anyone else does this, but I do not count fresh veggies or fruit in my calorie intake. I have still lost, but I feel that since it is so natural that it does not need to be counted. I have still lost weight each week, so I must not be doing something that bad.

Does anyone else do this? Any advice to why you would count them?

Replies

  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    I count them because they contain calories. The closer you get to your goal weight the less room there is for error.
  • crystallayne
    crystallayne Posts: 109 Member
    I also count them because they contain calories. I could eat 8 pounds of lettuce and would still gain wait because 2000 calories of lettuce is still 2000 calories. Fruit has crazy calories! Good luck!
  • s1lence
    s1lence Posts: 493
    I count everything. Fresh fruit and veg pack a calorie punch depending on what you eat.
  • runningfromzombies
    runningfromzombies Posts: 386 Member
    I need to know if anyone else does this, but I do not count fresh veggies or fruit in my calorie intake. I have still lost, but I feel that since it is so natural that it does not need to be counted. I have still lost weight each week, so I must not be doing something that bad.

    Does anyone else do this? Any advice to why you would count them?

    Just because they're "natural" doesn't mean that they don't contain calories--fruits, in fact, can have a lot of calories (a medium banana can have around 100 calories). I count them to make sure I'm staying within my calorie intake. You're probably losing a little less than you could be losing if you counted them--or, on the flip side, if you're continuously under your calories without counting them, they might make up the calories you have left, thus allowing you to keep losing.
  • mamaw322
    mamaw322 Posts: 21 Member
    I count fruits but do not count non-starchy veggies. I eat a reasonable amount of veggies, but if I were going to eat tons of them I would probably count them. I used to be on Weight Watchers and this always worked for me.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    Oh my..... wow, yes, I count them. Fruit, in particular, has a lot of calories.
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    Do I count every bite of celery or cucumber??? Not really, but I absolutely count fruit and salads and carrots (they are a little higher carb) and other veggies. Now if someone has a little veggie tray and I pick up a small piece of broccoli or two I don't worry unless I dip, which I typically don't anymore.
  • Peta22
    Peta22 Posts: 377 Member
    Ahhh I find this a bit bizarre... But then I'm a bit OCD! I count everything! Even spices that may add 1 or 2 calories per serve... I figure I want to be as honest and controlled as possible about this. That way, I can be as effective as possible in acheiving my goals.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Yes.

    Firstly, I want to make sure I'm getting the fiber and potassium I need. If I let my potassium level drop too low I get horrible muscle cramps.

    Secondly, looking just at the last few days, yesterday and the day before I ate over 400 calories worth of vegetables/fruit. I am sure that not tracking these would cause issues since my deficit isn't that big anyway. If I were going to not track fruits/veggies, I would need to make my deficit bigger to account for that.
  • lnfunchess
    lnfunchess Posts: 20
    I count everything that goes in my mouth. Even down to the tic tac's and chewing gun.
  • StephySands
    StephySands Posts: 53
    Absolutely! I count them because I could eat a TON of fruit if I'm not careful and in reality I should be eating a good mix of fruit and green veggies. Plus I like to know if I'm getting my 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
  • ashnm88
    ashnm88 Posts: 748
    I count them because they contain calories. The closer you get to your goal weight the less room there is for error.

    This is very true. I started off at over 1600cals now down to just 1360cals.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Count everything, because everything counts.
  • Tara4boys
    Tara4boys Posts: 515 Member
    YOu may be getting this from the new Weight Watchers program where whole fruits (and veggies) aren't counted. The WW system has points (calories) worked into its system already - they really aren't free.

    I would say - let the scale be your guide. If you really don't want to count them and you continue to lose, so be it. If you are stalling or losing very slowly - may want to start counting.

    I LOVE fruit and could really do some damage - especially in summer when everything is so delicious.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I probably eat about 200-300 calories of fresh fruits and veggies each day. Of course I count them!
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I count everything. You would be surprised how it adds up. Have a great day.
  • ania0307
    ania0307 Posts: 49
    i count everything, I mean EVERYTHING ! if i have 1 peanut I add it, same with a slice of cucumber etc :)
    all the little things add, fruit and veg too- easy to have 400-500 calories just of fruit and veg - they're healthy but if someone is monitoring calories i recommend couning fruit and veg too :)
  • Arestoktra
    Arestoktra Posts: 73
    Ahhh I find this a bit bizarre... But then I'm a bit OCD! I count everything! Even spices that may add 1 or 2 calories per serve... I figure I want to be as honest and controlled as possible about this. That way, I can be as effective as possible in acheiving my goals.

    Same here. I even counted baking soda and baking powder once (then realized they don't have any calories).
  • 2April
    2April Posts: 285 Member
    I plan my meals and add in the healthy stuff first then if I have room I add in some junk or know I have so many calories for a snack.
  • TotalTiger
    TotalTiger Posts: 74
    I count the lot - even herbs. If I eat it, it's counted.
  • joytron
    joytron Posts: 103 Member
    Basically: What everyone else said. A calorie is a calorie. And I eat *a lot* of fruit and veggies.

    That said, I'm quite fussy with being exact in the counts for other foods, but with veggies (never fruit) I guess if I have to. If I'm off I'll be off by maybe five cals, whereas if I'm off with something like a bowl of rice it might be by 50 cals.
  • Trutra
    Trutra Posts: 131 Member
    I count it all - fruit is high in sugar and definitely has a fair amount of calories. Some veggies too. When I went to my nutritionist the first month she actually put me off all fruit and starchy vegetables for that reason. As a reult I count it all. The only thing I dont count is dried herbs and spices. I do count salt
  • Dannib55
    Dannib55 Posts: 50
    I count everything, including fruit and veggies. Some fruits can contain elevated levels of sugar and carbs, if you want an accurate report or what you are eating, then you need to count them.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I need to know if anyone else does this, but I do not count fresh veggies or fruit in my calorie intake. I have still lost, but I feel that since it is so natural that it does not need to be counted. I have still lost weight each week, so I must not be doing something that bad.

    Does anyone else do this? Any advice to why you would count them?

    They contain calories and could push you over your daily allowance if you eat a lot of them.

    Example, I eat, sometimes, FIVE large oranges per day, those oranges are 70 calories each, that amounts to a total of 350 calories per day - if I do not log those, I will go over my daily allowance and then at the end of the week when I have not logged those 2,450 calories, I will be wondering why my weight has stalled.

    This is why I log all fruit and veg.
  • frankiesats
    frankiesats Posts: 114 Member
    Do they contain calories? Yes.
    Do they contain sugar? Yes.
    Do they contain carbs? Yes.

    Can too many fruit and veg make you gain weight = YES.

    Potato is a vegetable. It is fairly high in calories, high carb etc. You should 100% be counting these things!
  • Yes2HealthyAriel
    Yes2HealthyAriel Posts: 453 Member
    I count spices to. I count everything even if it is one strawberry from a fruit and veggie tray.
  • navstone
    navstone Posts: 30
    If you are eating healthy and happy with your weight loss what difference does it make in the long run for you, unless there is a medical issue
  • sherrieowens
    sherrieowens Posts: 1
    I would start to count them only if it matters. You can be a slave to this program or use it the way it is intended. Fruits and veggies are healthy alternatives to cakes and cookies. If you are no longer meeting your goals, then "up your game!" or increase your activity. Til then, have fun getting healthy by making wise choices.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Same here. I even counted baking soda and baking powder once (then realized they don't have any calories).

    I count baking soda and baking powder, but only so I get an accurate count on sodium. Both of those items, even though they don't have calories, have significant sodium.

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