I had lunch at Chili's today. I'm attempting to input it into my sparkpeople. I have found about 6 different calorie counts for the same items on various websites, and they are off from each other by 100++ calories each item. I know I may just have to deal with it and go with the highest count just to be "safe", but what sites to you trust when you are counting restaurant calories?
I go by the count on their official site, if possible. If they don't have nutrition information available, I'll look at a few sites and like you, just assume it's the highest count.
For the record, I've been eating out a lot this month and I am still losing weight. I don't actually count calories but still check nutrition info since I do stay "calorie aware."
I usually look before I go so I can make a better decision, it just ended up being waaaaay higher than I anticipated and I'm trying to get out of it LOL! But I did find their official site, and *sigh* their count was the highest of all, so I'm going with that. Maybe I'll just be full the rest of the day, as I'm already over my alotted calories for the day!
The FDA allows wiggle room on their nutritional info of up to 25%! So your meal could have easily 25% more than they post on their website/menu. Its not like the line cooks stand in the back and weigh out your portion of broccoli and pasta They use a big A$$ spoon/spatula and eyeball it... how accurate are YOU at eyeballing portions? Multiply that exponentially by someone who *does not care*?
see what i mean?
Oh yes I definitely agree on that, that's why I was so shocked at the highest calorie content I found, cuz I figure it could be higher!!!
I had a half sandwich, a few fries, a few tortilla chips, and a bowl of soup. Around 1400 calories so my goodness it could be upwards of 2000! That's insane. I will never go out again without having a plan! I've been so good staying in my range without feeling deprived. I'm disappointed that this pushed me way over for the day since I had already had around 400!
Lockitup-
dont worry about it. Live and learn. One day will not make or break your fatloss. Think of today as your "refeed" day. Its good for your body and metabolism. Eat dinner on-plan as usual, and continue tomorrow.....
Seriously. You will still end up with a decent deficit for the week, although you may have some temporary water retention.
I had the lunch portion: Chicken Fajita Sandwich with Fries which I found was 730, the chicken enchilada soup 380, chips (I overestimated how many, my mom and I combined ate not even a quarter of the basket) 204.
Is that close to yours Bargoo?
Mkroyer - You're right, I will still be at a pretty large deficit for the week. Yesterday I did eat on the very low end of my plan, so it's really not a big deal in the end.
Pretty close. I make it a rule if I don't know what restaurant I am going to end up at to follow a few simple rules.
Don't order anything fried.
No gravies or sauces.
No desert.
If I fail at this I just start over the next day I agree with mkroyer one day won't make or break your fatloss.
Pretty close. I make it a rule if I don't know what restaurant I am going to end up at to follow a few simple rules.
Don't order anything fried.
No gravies or sauces.
No desert.
If I fail at this I just start over the next day I agree with mkroyer one day won't make or break your fatloss.
So very true. I think what got into my head was the I didn't mean to eat that many calories. The occasional high calorie day is perfectly fine in my book, I just didn't intend for today to be one. Ah well, next time I will know better. Tomorrow is another day, and even with a sensible dinner, if I throw in a workout tonight I will still be in a deficit.
Re: Figuring out calories in restaurant meals
I don't actually count calories but still check nutrition info since I do stay "calorie aware."
They use a big A$$ spoon/spatula and eyeball it... how accurate are YOU at eyeballing portions? Multiply that exponentially by someone who *does not care*? 
so my goodness it could be upwards of 2000! That's insane. I will never go out again without having a plan! I've been so good staying in my range without feeling deprived. I'm disappointed that this pushed me way over for the day since I had already had around 400!
