[mahtha]

I'd love to be able to figure out the points values for some favorite recipes. Is Mastercook the way to go or are there other options I should consider? I'm really not interested in keeping a recipe book per se, I'd be adding recipes strictly to figure out the points of each.

Many thanks!

[Kelly_S]

Mastercook is good for that and also organizing your gathered recipes. It is more a program for COOKBOOKS that allows nutritional information.

However you can always do it 2 other ways for free:

1) list each ingredient and the points for it, total up all ingrediants and divide by the number of servings

or

2) list the cal/fat/fiber for each ingredient, total up each category for all ingredients, divide each category by the number of servings and then figure points on your final figures.

I personally like Mastercook and use it many times with my cookbooks I already have to figure nutritional info and then put that and the points in the margin of the cookbook as well as creating my own cookbook from family favs and gathered recipes.

[Suzanne 3FC]

I've used Mastercook for several years and love it. However, I recently downloaded a free trial version of another program called the Living Cookbook that I'm considering buying. It's not as easy to use (though it comes close), and doesn't look as slick and glossy as Mastercook. However, it seems to be more accurate regarding nutrition, because you have to take an extra step with each recipe to make sure you are linking the ingredients to the correct nutrition data. Plus, it contains a built in points calculator.

http://www.livingcookbook.com/

[Kelly_S]

See I never had that problem with Mastercook Suzanne! I just make sure to list it as ounces or whatever rather than saying like 1 can etc.

[Suzanne 3FC]

I didn't realize I had a problem, lol, until Jennifer entered a few recipes I sent her in her Mastercook and we realized we came up with different nutrition info. Most ingredients will come out the same, but sometimes there will be differences since they have so many versions of individual ingredients. I still base my daily calories on Mastercook's info, though, it's accurate enough. It's all just an average anyway, since nutritional content can vary based on many variables, such as the soil it was grown in, how fresh the ingredients are, etc. Overall, I'm happy with Mastercook and will use it first. But I thought the built in points calculator in Living Cookbook was interesting. I'm actually wondering why WW legal hasn't stopped them. They didn't waste any time forcing small homepages to remove their points calculators.

[Kelly_S]

Suzanne, Good point. But like I said I always have done mine by weight rather than can, box etc unless it is something I actually entered into the database. Many times I enter my brand name items that I use because then I don't have to worry about the 'general' stuff.