Qustion from the Newbie on the block

missierenneb
missierenneb Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Introduce Yourself
:smile: Someone I know told me about this site, and, although I swore I would never 'count calories' here I am counting away. Looking to lose 8 - 10 pounds. This past year I took on my first full time job in 20 years as I spent the last 2 decades primarily raising my great kids. At over 40, suddenly sitting at a desk for 40 + hours per week has brought on some serious muffin top!

My question: Wondering what anyone thinks about NOT counting fruit and veggies. My friend is on weight watchers and that's how they do it- so I decided to as well. I count the dressing on my salad, but not the veggies. Feel like I'm cheating kinda? But then on the upswing I find myself eating lots more of both. Any feedback is welcome to this approach.

Replies

  • premiumchilenita
    premiumchilenita Posts: 600 Member
    I count everything. This way I learnt that the better I ate the more I could eat. Fruit and Veggies still have calories and some have heaps. And some have not so many and realised I could eat more of them :smile:

    My problem wasn't really eating unhealthily, it was eating too much, so by counting everything I find myself sticking to my portions and not going over board, recognising when I'm full and have more control over my food and my body.
  • teemiller13
    teemiller13 Posts: 317 Member
    I would say count everything but eat how you would if you were doing the weight watchers thing. That way it it works for you, great, you know that those cals dont seem to count as much and if it doesnt work you know exactly where you were going wrong. Either way supposedly ppl that keep a food journal tend to weigh less than ppl that don't.
    My mother in law did the weight watchers points thing and lost 50-60 lbs.
  • fitfunnygal
    fitfunnygal Posts: 40 Member
    :smile: Someone I know told me about this site, and, although I swore I would never 'count calories' here I am counting away. Looking to lose 8 - 10 pounds. This past year I took on my first full time job in 20 years as I spent the last 2 decades primarily raising my great kids. At over 40, suddenly sitting at a desk for 40 + hours per week has brought on some serious muffin top!

    My question: Wondering what anyone thinks about NOT counting fruit and veggies. My friend is on weight watchers and that's how they do it- so I decided to as well. I count the dressing on my salad, but not the veggies. Feel like I'm cheating kinda? But then on the upswing I find myself eating lots more of both. Any feedback is welcome to this approach.

    I was always told that viggies were free and you can eat as much as you want. I have not been counting all my viggies but I do my fruit. I say do what you think is best for you.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    My opinion is that if you are choosing to count calories, then it's not logical to pick and choose which ones to count and which ones to ignore. I wouldn't ignore a peanut butter sandwich that adds up to 160 cals, so it makes no sense to ignore my fruit intake for the day that add up to 160 cals.
    I can easily eat 3-400 cals a day (or more) in fruit and veggies - so that's a pretty significant amount to completely ignore.

    But, to make it easier (and quicker) to log, I have some "recipes" in the recipe section like "green salad", "green salad with dressing", roast veggies", "veggies with cheese" etc. This way I know I"m accounting for the calories and nutrients, but if today's salad has a little more tomato and a little less capsicum I don't lose sleep over it.

    I also think its helpful to be able to look at back at your diary to see how the balance of foods is working out - I sometimes feel that I'm not getting enough fruit and veg so looking back over a few weeks lets me see if this is the case.

    But, MFP is just a tool - if you've found something that is working for you, go for it!
  • texaricangirasol
    texaricangirasol Posts: 38 Member
    I never thought i would count calories either, but i knew i had to make some changes. My choices aren't all unhealthy, but i need to look at portions. This site really helps to figure out the best portions.

    For me, I haven't even been here a week and i am shopping smarter and i use the calorie counter as a motivation to workout more.

    you have to find what motivates you. Too much of anything is not good; and lots of veggies and fruit could lead you to have high #s in other categories (sugar, sodium, etc) which if you are not counting could harm your progress.

    Good Luck to you:)
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I count them, they have calories and fruits have sugar and carbs. If I bite it, I write it, but you have to do what works for you. Very little foods are 'free' foods unfortunately.
  • jcmartin0313
    jcmartin0313 Posts: 574 Member
    Vegetables like all things which go into your body except water have calories so not counting them may make you feel better but does not allow for an honest accounting of your intake.
  • missierenneb
    missierenneb Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks for all the feedback! I think I will start counting them, lots of good points to do so !
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