Do I count calories from fruits and vegetables?

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Replies

  • territhefrog
    territhefrog Posts: 1,134 Member
    I count everything. Fruits, veggies, diet soda, everything.
    Also, log how much water I drink during the day.....in between having to go to the bathroom.
    If you eat it, count it. Log every little thing.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Some days fruit and veg can take up nearly 1\3 of my daily intake! Itd be crazy to me not to count them. Sugars would mount up very quickly on fruit also, so I watch for that.if you don't count everything how are you going to look back when needed to see what did or didn't work for you? X
  • Dagoth
    Dagoth Posts: 172
    I did WW for a while and fruits and veggies were "free" (except corn, potatoes, avocados, and bananas). I'm counting the calories of everything that I eat except the fruits and veggies; I feel like I shouldn't "punish" myself for choosing cherry tomatoes over Hershey's kisses.

    Should I be counting the calories of ALL the foods I eat, including the fruits and veggies? Again, I don't want to "punish" myself by subtracting calories from my daily amount, even though I chose wisely. Suggestions? Anyone else not counting their fruit and vegetable calories?

    Thanks :smile:

    notsureifsrs.jpg
  • jephry
    jephry Posts: 55 Member
    Count everything. And, my suggestion is to never consider it "punishment." This isn't a diet, it's a life change. Yes, I know, we've heard it all before, but if you're serious about getting healthier, that's the way to go.

    If you don't count everything you eat, you're truly cheating yourself. There was a time when I thought limiting myself to 1400 calories a day was nearly impossible. Now, I find it difficult to actually get to 1200 most days. Fruits and vegetables play a big part in my diet (I eat a banana and yogurt 3-4 times a week for breakfast and have some sort of fruit as a dessert every evening).

    If you stick it in your face, log it. You'll be glad you did as you see your numbers improve!
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    This isn't WW, so yes.

    What are you talking about punishing yourself? If you eat it, you count it. It isn't magically free because it's good for you.
  • boggsmeister
    boggsmeister Posts: 292 Member
    WW is a great program that tries to avoid calorie counting. MFP is a great program that embraces calorie counting. So, when in Rome...
  • SavCal71
    SavCal71 Posts: 350 Member
    I count most of them. But if I throw a handful of lettuce on my sandwich, or add 1/2 a carrot to my salad I might not count them. I pay more attention to fruits, because they are higher in calories and sugar. If 10-30 calories a day are affecting my weight loss, fruits and veggies aren't my problem, lol. So I don't freak out about it, but I try to count them.
  • nashai01
    nashai01 Posts: 536 Member
    If it goes in your mouth, then count it.


    Welllll.......

    lol...:

    Lol hilarious

    blushing:
  • xbekkiex
    xbekkiex Posts: 30
    I count them - I like the fact that MFP tracks everything, not just calories - so I can keep track of sugar/carbs/etc
  • SteffieMark
    SteffieMark Posts: 1,719 Member
    Everything that I eat, gets logged. I'd only be cheating myself if I didn't count it all.
  • wendiann2222
    wendiann2222 Posts: 36
    I feel like I shouldn't "punish" myself for choosing cherry tomatoes over Hershey's kisses.

    I don't see logging as 'punishment.' Think of it as recognizing all the 'success' for choosing cherry tomatoes over Hershey's kisses
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Yes. If it has calories, I count it. Doesn't make much sense not to. Plus they have carbohydrates, sugar, even some fat and protein, depending on the fruit/veggie.

    I eat so much in the way of fruits and veggies, if I didn't log those calories, I'd either a. appear to be eating hardly anything, or b. eat WAY too much other stuff.
  • pogojr
    pogojr Posts: 83 Member
    I track my fruits and veggies (along with everything else that I eat or drink - even on my cheat day), but at the end of the day, if my sugars are over and it was a mostly fruit day, I don't panic since they are natural sugars.
  • Jess81620
    Jess81620 Posts: 72 Member
    I count everything that I eat. Fruit really does have a lot of sugar in it. Although it's a much better form of sugar then a lot of other products.
  • shellsy0424
    shellsy0424 Posts: 127 Member
    If it goes in your mouth, then count it.


    Definitely this. This is the only way to be successful. There are better choices,. eating cleaner is always better.
  • eal12_00
    eal12_00 Posts: 23 Member
    i do even though it is small amount
  • Jess81620
    Jess81620 Posts: 72 Member
    I log my green tea even and it's zero calories.
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    I did WW years ago as well so I have always had the "free" vegetables stuck in my head. When I decided to change my lifestyle last September I kept that going and so far I have lost 57lbs. I don't count the veg but I do count every single fruit and anything that the veg might be in, salad dressing, dip, etc.

    I say do what works for you and if it doesn't work then start counting them to see what is limiting your success.

    Good Luck!
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I count everything I eat. Fruit especially can really add to the calorie count. Don't see it as punishment. One thing I realised early on is that there is still incentive to choose things like veggies over chocolate, because they have far fewer calories so you can get away with eating more of them.

    Weight Watchers makes fruit & vegetables free to encourage people to eat them, but if you're on WW you don't really have to worry about the calorie content as a lot of it's done for you in the points system. Most people wouldn't get fat on fruit and veg, but it is possible. You're not being "punished" by your diminishing calorie allowance, it's just an accurate reflection of what you're actually eating. Knowledge is power, right?
  • DeBiKin
    DeBiKin Posts: 107 Member
    I list fruits because of the sugar content (& carbs) and vegies when I have a large serving (mostly for the fiber content). I don't worry about the gnats @$$ because I don't list every single movement I make so it balances out enough for me. Besides, sometimes I think I burn more calories looking it up than I do eating it :p
    I also skip listing every pickle or mustard (but list ketchup (because of the sugar).
  • TaylorMagoo15
    TaylorMagoo15 Posts: 1
    It's just good to be honest with yourself. I count my fruits ans veggies and it helps me stay on track.
  • EnchantedEvening
    EnchantedEvening Posts: 671 Member
    Fruit is not a punishment. Fruit is delicious.

    If fruit is wrong, I don't want to be right.
  • lil_bear0811
    lil_bear0811 Posts: 56
    A calorie is a calorie. I sure want to take credit for every one I burn, so I need to take credit for every one I consume.
  • BHRussell
    BHRussell Posts: 83 Member
    My dietician tell me calories count, just let your body worry about the rest. If you are high on calories make them good choices
    ( nutrient dense foods). Hope that helps
  • cheshirechic
    cheshirechic Posts: 489 Member
    Count them. This system is a little bit different than WW.

    Good luck! <3
  • AngelRobbie
    AngelRobbie Posts: 153 Member
    I have also done WW in the past, and with little success. I think it was because of all the "free" calories I was eatting. (Strawberries are my favorite food and I was doing WW in the summer..) With MFP I log everything down to the water I drink. I have never been a calorie counter so this is proving to be difficult for me, but I also know where I need to improve so I don't get upset when I go over calories.

    Good luck!
  • SuperSneaky
    SuperSneaky Posts: 43
    My mom lost 100lbs on Weight Watchers. When they made the assumption with the "free" fruits and veggies, she gained weight. I think WW kept defending it as you aren't going to gain weight on veggies, but in her case bananas .... she was eating a few every meal.

    I wouldn't consider labeling veggies punishment! If it feels like that, maybe try roasting them with a yummy olive oil/spice blend? It can do wonders.

    Also, keep in mind WW has an algorithm for calculating points -- it doesn't necessarily translate into calories.

    I really enjoy calorie counting, I think. It satisfies the type-A personality I have.
  • cricketannie
    cricketannie Posts: 184 Member
    Absolutely. It counts towards your vitamine goals.
  • marie_2454
    marie_2454 Posts: 881 Member
    I think it's really up to you, but I would (and do). If I didn't eat that much then I might be tempted to not worry about it, but today 440 of my calories have come from fruits or vegetables, so they do add up.
  • temsabi
    temsabi Posts: 45 Member
    I count everything food-wise (just not water or daily mundane activities), but that doesn't mean you have to. The tools provided by MFP are just that--tools. Nothing on this site is going to be 100% accurate anyway, so do with it what you will and take everything with a grain of salt. If right now you don't feel you need to track you fruit and veg intake, then don't! You can always change your mind later.

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