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12-03-2009, 10:04 AM
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#1
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Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 90
Height: 5'1''
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How do you know how many calories there are?
I have a question! I have been trying to lose weight by counting calories, although I sometime guess or round the calories, I would like to start counting more acuratley. So, my question is, how do you know how many calories are in something if it doesn't say on the item? Not everything I eat is labeled.
Does anyone have any tips or advice for me in counting calories, I find it kind of confusing. I also need to think about an actual plan, like servings of vegtables, fruits, dairy, protein, etc. I need some advice, please help.
I am getting frustrated and don't know what to do!?
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12-03-2009, 10:10 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 225
S/C/G: 230/227.6/150
Height: 5'7"
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There are several websites available that you can use for free to track your calories, like FitDay or Spark People. Just search the food item and it will list the calories and other nutrition info for you. It can be frustrating at first, but you will get the hang of it.
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12-03-2009, 10:18 AM
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#3
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Tellin' it like it is!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Denver Co
Posts: 1,657
S/C/G: RESTART:153.5/147/135
Height: 5'4"
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you are also going to HAVE TO start weighing your food (if you dont already). You need to actually MEASURE out a portion (as listed on package, or whatever)-- ALWAYS measure (at least for a while) everything
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12-03-2009, 11:09 AM
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#4
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Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 90
Height: 5'1''
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The sites you said list the calories and other nutrional value; so do I pay attention to only the calories listed or do I incorporate the other information listed?
Ih ave not measured anything, I will give that a try. To get the correct portion size do you always go by what is listed as a portion on whatever you are eating?
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12-03-2009, 12:15 PM
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#5
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Corporette diet
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 703
S/C/G: 135 / 103-106 / maintenance
Height: 5'3.5"
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I've been using an "intuitive eating" method for portion control -- cutting out *all* sodas and juices, choosing one carb per meal, and filling one mid-size plate with at least three vegetables in addition to a piece of bread or scoop of rice. But I'm also eating nearly vegan and it's just a method that works for me; if you're liable to use large plates or find yourself heaping it on (as I used to do), surface-area control might not be enough. I just wanted to offer that as a possibility if weighing isn't an option (as for college students like me).
As for calorie amounts -- absolutely memorize those tables. Finding out how much was in fruit and veggies really made me feel better about filling my plate and replacing dessert with them.
Last edited by lackadaisy; 12-03-2009 at 12:17 PM.
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12-03-2009, 12:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Davis, Ca
Posts: 23,149
S/C/G: 204/114/120
Height: 5'
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I have a calorie book from Calorie King. I wouldn't be without it. It has calorie counts for just about anything you can imagine. It also has ethnic foods, restaurant and fast foods. It is small enough to carry in your purse.
It is called Calorie KIng Fat and Carbohydrate Counter. You can usually find it at drug stores. I got mine at my HMO, Kaiser. You can also go online www.CalorieKing.com
Last edited by bargoo; 12-03-2009 at 12:26 PM.
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12-03-2009, 02:08 PM
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#7
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Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 90
Height: 5'1''
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Thank you all for sharing... Everyones answer helped me in some way..
Thanks again, I appreciate it.
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12-03-2009, 11:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 644
S/C/G: 290/283/150
Height: 5'10"
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Also, if you find it more liveable later, you might want to eyeball calories someday. Doesn't work for everyone, but me I just glance at my food and roughly estimate the calories and put the ballpark number in my phone just to give me a basic idea of where I am so far that day calorie-wise. I ALWAYS round up to be safer, but it's very inaccurate, regardless. But it still keeps me accountable and takes almost none of my time, so I like it a lot (and I'm still losing weight on it too!). Whatever works for YOU is most important in the long run, though.
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12-07-2009, 09:49 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,114
S/C/G: 192/maintaining upper 120's
Height: 5"8.5" 51 yrs
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Howdy,
I use Google (when at home) and my apps on my iTouch to estimate calories. There are a number of sites that pop up some of them listed above. If there is a range of a particular item, I tend to lean toward the higher number. Sparkpeople are good for custom recipes.
The fact I log any food eaten, helps me to avoid calorie creep. That is my goal, regardless of what I eat, I record it. This keeps me honest and able to make intelligent modifications if needed.
Karen
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