Counting calories

[freedombird]

Hi,. I'm just starting to follow the NHS calorie counting plan ,. Do I have to count carlories in fruit and veg or do I just make sure I have 5 portions a day?

[asb284]

Hello. I’ve just started calorie counting as well. I’ve looked up the calories in fruit and veg and there are some but not that many compared to oil and dairy. I couldn’t believe that 1 tab of olive oil is 191 kcal! I would count your fruit and veg. For example I ate 185 kcal of fruit and veg today.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to asb284]

Hello, asb284, and welcome to the forum

You're quite right, if you're counting calories you need to count all calories. However, you don't need to be afraid of healthy fats. They will keep you feeling fuller longer, and they're not giving you the high sugar content you get from most fruits.

Please check out the links I have given freedom bird and, in particular, find your own calorie range from the NHS BMI calculator and aim for the upper half of the range. Here's the link nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-we...

Wishing you success in reaching your goals

[flamingofrenzy]

I used to do WW and fruit and veg was free if that helps

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to flamingofrenzy]

That doesn't apply when you're calorie counting as all foods have a calorie value

[flamingofrenzy in reply to BridgeGirl]

I'm always rubbish when I'm counting calories I'm either over target or under target.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to flamingofrenzy]

It's not for everyone, but it does help you get an understanding of food values. That's why I don't understand these plans that talk about "free" items. Nothing is "free" to our bodies, we just need to get the right balance, eat real food cooked from fresh and ditch the processed stuff, which includes anything labelled low fat or light or diet

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to flamingofrenzy]

As long as you are within the overall target range for the week then you should lose weight 😊

Would a different approach work better for you? There are portion counted plans like the British Heart Foundation one, or a Low Carb, High Fat approach like DietDoctor 😊

[flamingofrenzy in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I’m now doing clean eating which is no red meat, burnt or bbq food as well as no processed food.

I have never portion counted plans are they any good?

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to flamingofrenzy]

If what you’re doing is working then stick with that 😊. My issue wasn’t WHAT I was eating it was the quantity . . .

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, freedombird, and welcome to the forum 😊

Yes, when you're counting calories you count all calories.

You need to get your calorie range from the NHS BMI calculator: the 1400 figure is generic and suits very few of us. Experience here says to eat within the upper half of your range to lose at a steady rate of around 1-2lbs per week. Here's the link. nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-we...

This welcome pack explains how the forum works and how to find your way around healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

You'll find a list of all the forum activities on our daily chat thread here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

I recommend joining a weekly weigh in on the day of your choice.

We also ask that you read this information about internet privacy and security healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Please be aware that if you leave your post unlocked, it can be shared on Facebook, Twitter etc. without your knowledge or consent. Some of our members will not respond to unlocked posts as they value their privacy.

Take your time exploring and come back with any questions.

Wishing you all the best and I hope you become an active member of the forum 😊

[FP59]

Yes, you do have to count calories in fruit and veg but the good thing is that veg is extremely low and salad so you can have a little bit more and you are adding to your 5 + a day, bonus!!

I was also under the impression that fruit and veg was free on WW but you would need to be following that plan.

Calorie counting defo works as i've been doing it for 5 weeks and am steadily losing weight AND I've increased my veg and fruit as I now have to make sensible choices with my 1,800 calorie limit but I don't feel like I've missed out on any foods. If I fancy a piece of chocolate, I weigh it and make sure I don't go over my calorie intake.

A set of kitchen scales will help tremendously in weighing out foods and liquids (I even weigh out my fruit juice in the morning) and you may be surprised just how easy it is go over your daily amount.

I even weigh my fruit and salad and Google the calories...it's been a real eye opener for me as I now have a clear idea of how I was eating extra calories and not realising it.

Good luck!!

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to FP59]

Weighing food and accurately counting calories has been a real eye opener for me too. I could never understand how I was overweight when my meals were so healthy!! 🤣. It was portion size, second helpings and SNACKS . . . I rarely snack between meals these days and carefully watch portion size.

And yes, fill up your plate with very low Calorie green leafy vegetables and salad, but carefully weight and count some of the higher calories fruits like grapes, bananas and high sugar fruit juice

[dotanddavy]

Hi I have been doing slimming world for 6 weeks and weight loss has been very slow, eating as much fruit and veg as I liked, or free as they say , however this week I switched to counting calories including fruit and veg using the amount of calories allowed from the nhs Bmi site, I have lost 5 lbs this week and cannot believe it, I have continued to eat almost the same meals just cut down mostly on all that free fruit which now I realise way above my calorie allowance, good luck with your calorie counting hoot it is as successful as mine has been this week .

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to dotanddavy]

Great work, dotanddavy

How about joining a weekly weigh in? The team support is great. All the information you need is here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[dotanddavy in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thanks yes I weighed in at 11st 9 lbs last week 11st 4lbs today

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to dotanddavy]

The Friday weigh in team would make you very welcome See the link I've given you which explains how to get there and the aim of the weigh in, which is giving supportive comments to each other. Just choose the day that will suit you best

[freedombird in reply to dotanddavy]

I'm currently doing Slimming world but I've only lost a stone since last May just don't think it's working for me hence my interest in calorie counting

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to freedombird]

It’s not for everyone, it certainly wouldn’t have suited me as I need strict portion size guidelines!! 😊. Too much of anything will cause weight gain