Best way to count caliries

[Sambagirl]

Do people have any suggestions on the easiest way to count calories? I love cooking, but it seems so faffy having to weigh everything and do the maths! Perhaps I just have to stick at it. Any favourite apps that you use? I would welcome any tips!

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Sambagirl and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the forum. Please note if you are using the new HU App many of these features are not available so I suggest you use the full website version.

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for

Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day, as well as a new Daily Diary, if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page

You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you have a 'Newbie' badge. We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too. If you have any questions please just ask

Best wishes

Anna

[FarmerGeddun]

Hi,

I use pack weights and a calculator. I don't weigh anything unless I'm baking, I just guess how much of the pack I've used.

As a cheat I use a spreadsheet (so I don't have to keep getting the calculator out) to work it all out.

[Salcheq 1kg]

Hi Sambagirl and welcome. Counting calories is faffy to start with, I keep the NHS calorie counter open on my laptop all the time. But after a while, you start to know how much an item is, how much a particular meal is etc and it gets a lot easier. Anything packaged is easy as it tells you. I think it is worth doing as it makes eating a lot less restricted than other plans, and is very flexible. And it can be quite surprising to find out what has a lot of calories in and what doesn't.

[IndigoBlue61]

Forgot to say, many people like an App called MyFitnessPal . . . I think it's free and works out how many calories you can eat and then you can earn extra by exercising.

[VickyDLM 2 stone in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I have started using MFP Sambagirl and found it easy to use and quicker than the paper and pencil method I was using before. And it remembers things so you can quickly add food you use a lot.

I don't really use their recommended calories (I use the BMI calculator on the NHS Choices site), I only use it to track my exercise and calories.

Good luck and Welcome!