Calorie Counting for Newbies!

For all you master calorie counters can you give me some tips on how you deal with eating out at restaurants? Do you weigh all your portions like veggies, meats, etc and then calculate all the calories?

Do you plan them all out for the day at once or just decide as you go along?

How do u figure out recipes that dont give you the calorie info?

thanks!

Thu. Apr 26, 1:57pm

I know how many calories I plan to eat in a day (1300 for me), and I divide it up into how many I can eat in any "segment" of my day. That makes it easier to plan meals on the go, etc. When I go to restaurants, I try to look at their menu beforehand to know the calorie count (mostly this is for lunch, which is fast food around here; usually soup from Au Bon Pain, or a sushi roll, when I don't bring something of my own.)

If I go over in any one segment, I make it up in one of the others.

For example, I aim for 300 calories at breakfast, 500 calories during the work day (including lunch - that way, I have room for snacks if I'm hungry and eat a small lunch), and 500 calories after work, including dinner.

I actually don't count the calories in dinner too much, or the calories in complicated recipes, I just try to estimate what a healthy portion size would be (usually half as much as I think it should be!), and try to incorporate healthy but filling foods, and not snack aimlessly (which is a bad habit of mine).

But, I'm not a super-strict calorie counter, so it's hard to say.

For breakfast, I will measure with measuring cups if I'm eating cereal, oatmeal, granola, etc. I know an egg is 80 calories, just because I know. I know how many calories are in a slice of the bread that I buy. I know a wedge of light laughing cow cheese is 35 calories (and is enough to spread over an entire mini bagel, which I know is 130 calories).

I have some typical easy meals, and I stick to them much of the time. A mini bagel with a wedge of light laughing cow for breakfast (total of 165 cals), a lean pocket (150 cals), a bowl of granola (half cup is 180 cals) with some skim, some oatmeal (uncooked) mixed in with some yogurt, etc. 2 eggs cooked in PAM on a slice of toast (260 cals). A can of soup (says the total on the label).

I do not eat enough veggies/fruits; I know this. These are just a couple examples of filling and low-cal meals.

Thursday, April 26, 2007, 2:41 PM

Thank You!

Thursday, April 26, 2007, 3:44 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge