I am trying to figure out the best way to calculate and keep track of my calories. I had tried some of the online calculators and sites, but I always struggle with those because in lots of cases they focus on brands and things that are not in my typical menu - they always seem to be USA-centric and I can't relate to most of the stuff they calculate on - and it becomes quite complicated and full of guesses for me, lots of "this should be more or less the same thing" and such.
So I was thinking what would be a better solution...
I am trying to plan my menus a week ahead, and by looking at past weeks I can see that lots of things are recurrent; even the things I tend to snack on are more or less the same. So my latest idea was to try to sit down and work out the calories/fat/carb etc content of my most recurrent meals and to have a little guide to use to keep my calculations, maybe in an excel file like I had done in the past...
what do you think of this? does anyone else have any other suggestion?

Go buy a calorie counting book from your local book store if you cant find anything online.

Hi,
I am getting started too. I have bought a couple of calorie counting books, like the updated Caloried King Book, and a great book The Most Decadent Diet Ever. I also am going to use Ecel. I made a real nice one to help for the weeks meals and a good reference to go back on. I am going on vacation and will be using this as a for now on lifestyle change and one I will live with for the rest of my life. The yoyo dieting hit its peak and at 56 it is time to really get into a healthy change and going full force.

Good healthy eating,
Melanie in Colorado

Maintaining is what it is about, loosing is half the battle

I use TheDailyPlate to track my calories but I also use my Calorie King book (THAT I LOVE).

Fitday is good too.

my favorite place to log and track is My Diet, its an App on facebook. Also my digital scale that measures grams and ounces, a pen and notebook are the best.

I am on day 7, so right now I have printed off a list of foods that I found online , and then I keep that on my kitchen table, and look at it when I don't have the calorie count off of a package. A book would be a good idea. I find it too hard to track online. We have a little dry erase board that is on the front of our fridge that we keep track of our calories each day, so far it is working pretty good.

I use Calorie King and use the good old pen and pencil method. I have done online but find for me the pen and paper method works for the simple reason that I can use it any time and don't have to be online.