Do you count your veggies?

You're on Page 1 of 2
Go to
  • I got a question, do you count calories for your veggies? I understand everything has calories, except water, but sometimes it seems like so little I feel like it's more work for nothing.

    I try to, but sometimes I feel like what's the point. Say I have a sandwich and put a leaf of lettuce, a slice of tomato and a slice of onion, I usually add about 10 cals to the total.

    I mean if I'm going to eat a whole pound of roasted asparagus, then yes I count them (they're so good!).

    Just wondering what the rest of you do.
  • Sometimes I do. It helps me keep up with my fiber count.
  • Yes, I do. Mainly because I eat so many darned veggies, in little or big bits throughout the day, that they need to be counted.

    My fitday today shows 165 calories worth of veggies today...that's certainly a significant number!
  • I do it mainly to keep track. Although I'm usually making meals, or roasting them for lunch, or making salads. I've actually made up a generic 'House Salad' in my calorie tracking program, although it may change slightly I don't think it's a big deal.

    I looked at yesterday's meals and although I had roasted veg at lunch, a salad, and cauliflower with my dinner.... it totaled 189 calories. That doesn't count the veg in the meat sauce for dinner. In the end, the calories for the vegetables are a small part, but more calories than I thought.
  • Agree with the above posts for the same reason.
  • Yes - veggies count. But I don't stress the little things like lettuce on my sandwich or a simple slice of onion.

    Lori
  • Yup I count them! If I didn't my fiber count wouldn't be nearly so high. Plus, I'm just one of those personalities that track everything. I even track coffee and spices. Lol. I guess I'm a bit anal-retentive.
  • zenor - I'm glad someone else said it (about spices). I may not count them all of the time (ie. tonight I used a little salt, pepper and basil while browning a chicken breast), but when putting in recipes into FitDay I add in all of the spices and seasonings.
  • I use Calorie king for all my calorie counting and they actually have a slice of onion and how thick of a slice listed. I count spices and my coffee and tea and what i put in it as well. For me I have to count everything or i feel like i am slackin off. I think it keeps you honest as well. I dont know about the rest of you guys but sometimes if I really really really want that hershey's kiss (which btw is right at 25 calories a kiss) I am counting every calorie so I KNOW I can afford it!

    Zenor you look awesome btw YOU too Anne! Congrates Ladies!
  • Oh yeah. I count them and count them and count them and - all day long. Because I eat them and eat them and eat them - all day long. Veggies make up a large portion of my caloric intake.
  • OMG woman you lost an entire person! YOUR AWESOME!
  • I count my veggies for the same reason. They add up. I try hard to get in my 5 servings and that is over 100 calories. Plus I like the thought of how much food that 100-150 calories were compared to 100 calories of chips or ice cream.
  • I count just about everything. There are calories and carbs in celery lol. I don't count spices. I don't count a slice to tomato or a piece of lettuce on a sandwich. One of the reasons I count veggies is that I use fit day to make sure I am getting the required amounts of the four basic food groups in. It is a great way, at a glance, I can see what I still need to eat for the day.
  • I count veggies but mostly because I like seeing how few calories they have. The asparagus I had with dinner tonight was 7 calories! It's great.
    Oh and you people who don't count salads, DO count the dressing!
  • Definitely - I do it to encourage myself to keep track of everything and not try to leave out that cookie much or carrot munch.

    Like mandalinn, I often have around 100 cals. worth of veggies a day. The one baby carrot and the iceberg lettuce (under a half cup, maybe 5 calories) I add to a sandwhich, I don't count