Do you avoid certain meals??

emstgm
emstgm Posts: 117 Member
edited December 19 in Health and Weight Loss
If you don't know the exact nutrition information, is it better to avoid it? This is mainly for dining out. I much prefer when a restaurant posts the nutritional information on their items. Some places I go don't have it. I had lunch today at one of my favorite places and got their Italian Wedding Soup. The MFP database is full of Italian Wedding Soups, but the calorie counts seem way too low for this version = it's rich and thick. I end up just guessing, and choosing one of the higher options.

Do you tend to just eat out where you are sure what the calories are?

Replies

  • fluffysexyme
    fluffysexyme Posts: 104 Member
    Ask if you're unsure about the calories. They're required to have nutritional information available.

    But no... I eat what I want and go on from there :)
  • Anayalata
    Anayalata Posts: 391 Member
    Ask if you're unsure about the calories. They're required to have nutritional information available.

    But no... I eat what I want and go on from there :)

    You'd think so but most places still don't.

    Probably because if they disclosed their numbers, some people would stop going.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    If I can't get real numbers, I try and make the best approximation I can...like my local pizza shop doesn't have that info (reliably) so I use what I think is close, and err on the side of overestimation. Chinese places are notoriously difficult to estimate, too.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    Ask if you're unsure about the calories. They're required to have nutritional information available.

    But no... I eat what I want and go on from there :)

    Whether or not they are required to have their nutritional information depends on what state you are in and if they have more than a certain number of restaurants...
  • fluffysexyme
    fluffysexyme Posts: 104 Member
    Ask if you're unsure about the calories. They're required to have nutritional information available.

    But no... I eat what I want and go on from there :)

    You'd think so but most places still don't.

    Probably because if they disclosed their numbers, some people would stop going.

    If you have something to hide, I don't want to eat there anyway! LOL I personally am not going to avoid my favorite places even if they're awful places to eat. I'll just eat less or workout more. And I pray over every meal lol But I want to know and have a right to know what I put into my body and if the restaurant feels differently then, and only then, do we have a problem.
  • hillbillyannie
    hillbillyannie Posts: 139 Member
    well honestly I hardly ever eat breakfast but I'm not sure that's what you meant. I think you meant more like the fact I prefer to stay away from Oriental buffets. First of all it sends my glucose levels into orbit and it's almost impossible to count the calories and we won't even mention the salt and oil. Whew!!
  • em9371
    em9371 Posts: 1,047 Member
    For the amount of times I eat out I just guess, I will find nearest thing in database, ad if that seems too low I log as a larger portion.
    If it was a regular thing, I'd choose places that I know nutrition for though.
  • emstgm
    emstgm Posts: 117 Member
    I guess it does depend on the frequency. Since I can't be sure of the calorie content, I shouldn't choose those things too often. I know that when I was being very strict in my regimen, I did not even eat at a place that didn't have the calories posted.

    I'm not sure how much of a requirement it is. I think only chain restaurants have to post it. Smaller establishments do not tend to have it. It sure would be helpful though.
  • em9371
    em9371 Posts: 1,047 Member
    one of my friends told me last week that all food providers (fast food / restuarants / cafes etc) have to display nutrition content by 2014. Not sure if that applies in US too though or just here in england?
    Will be interesting to see the cal count of things like takeout pizza, chinese food etc!!
  • bradphil87
    bradphil87 Posts: 617 Member
    one of my friends told me last week that all food providers (fast food / restuarants / cafes etc) have to display nutrition content by 2014. Not sure if that applies in US too though or just here in england?
    Will be interesting to see the cal count of things like takeout pizza, chinese food etc!!
    In California that is already the law. I think other states may or may not be doing it as well.
  • musicgirl99
    musicgirl99 Posts: 252 Member
    Like others have said, I'll just search the MFP database and if it seems too low I will log a larger portion. I used to avoid places that didn't post their nutritional info but not anymore. If we're going out for dinner, I will try and figure out what I'm having in advance and work off the excess calories beforehand. Sounds obsessive but it seems to work for me.
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