Tracking Meals

[RobynS]

So I've been tracking my food on MapMyRun at the suggestion of a friend. WOW! Is it ever eye opening. First of all, I am not consistent day to day. One day I'm high on fat and calories, next day I'm low on fat, but high on carbs, etc.

The most surprising thing is this... I was certain that I wasn't getting enough protein, but lately I'm seeing that I'm getting TOO much protein (and sometimes too much fat). What's with that? I thought it was going well today. I had had about 66% of my protein for the day. I ate what I thought was a very small portion of meat with dinner and BOOM! Way over. :/

[BelindaDuvessa]

I don't blink an eye at too much protein, honestly.  I have protein set to be only 15% of my daily intake of calories and it gives me 68g to work with.  What you ate today would have been well within that range.  You calories seem a bit low, but I have days where I just don't eat alot.  Sodium looks good....all in all, it doesn't look that bad to me.

As for actual portions of meat, remember, a portion is about the size of a deck of cards.  What most of us grew up and learned as "small" portions were usually closer to 2 or more.

Eating right has a learning curve.  Some days will be better than others, and that will continue to be true as you continue on your journey.

[RobynS]

Yes, I'm getting better at judging my portions. I make mini-meatloaves instead of a whole meatloaf (we just all like them better) and I only ate one little tiny meatloaf! Thought for sure that would bring me right to 100% for my daily protein, but I went over.

Part of the problem could be how I'm logging it, too... If I see something similar to what I ate that someone else already logged, I just choose that and guess that my portion was similar to theirs. I'm not weighing things or carefully measuring. But I figure this is better than not tracking at all and after I've "gotten my feet wet" I can start getting more and more specific. :)

Thanks for the reply! I feel better after reading what you had to say. :)

Quoting BelindaDuvessa:

I don't blink an eye at too much protein, honestly.  I have protein set to be only 15% of my daily intake of calories and it gives me 68g to work with.  What you ate today would have been well within that range.  You calories seem a bit low, but I have days where I just don't eat alot.  Sodium looks good....all in all, it doesn't look that bad to me.

As for actual portions of meat, remember, a portion is about the size of a deck of cards.  What most of us grew up and learned as "small" portions were usually closer to 2 or more.

Eating right has a learning curve.  Some days will be better than others, and that will continue to be true as you continue on your journey.

[michiganmom116]

Robyn, I wouldn't worry about getting too much of a necessary nutrient.  Worry more if you don't get enough.  Protein is necessary to rebuild muscle tissue after a workout along with what we need during a typical day. 

MapMyRun would have a software meltdown if it tried to track what I eat during the day  LOL

Just stick with a good variety of whole foods and keep proper portion sizes in mind.

[BelindaDuvessa]

I use Myfitnesspal and Sparkpeople both for tracking food.  For a while I didn't like the Spark tracker and it's still lacking in comparison.  But in all honesty, I don't hold to a strict calorie count.  I stay within a range, usually, of about 100-150 calories within my goal.  Some days that's hard to get.  Some days I just don't want to eat.  Other days I do really good, and some, not so good and go over.  The point is that I'm paying attention to what goes in to my body, which will only help me in the long run.

I love mini meat loaves.  I don't make a traditional meat loaf, because I can't stand bell peppers and onions.  Instead, mine is more an Italian meatloaf, with mushrooms and Italian diced tomatoes.

Quoting RobynS:

Yes, I'm getting better at judging my portions. I make mini-meatloaves instead of a whole meatloaf (we just all like them better) and I only ate one little tiny meatloaf! Thought for sure that would bring me right to 100% for my daily protein, but I went over.

Part of the problem could be how I'm logging it, too... If I see something similar to what I ate that someone else already logged, I just choose that and guess that my portion was similar to theirs. I'm not weighing things or carefully measuring. But I figure this is better than not tracking at all and after I've "gotten my feet wet" I can start getting more and more specific. :)

Thanks for the reply! I feel better after reading what you had to say. :)

Quoting BelindaDuvessa:

I don't blink an eye at too much protein, honestly.  I have protein set to be only 15% of my daily intake of calories and it gives me 68g to work with.  What you ate today would have been well within that range.  You calories seem a bit low, but I have days where I just don't eat alot.  Sodium looks good....all in all, it doesn't look that bad to me.

As for actual portions of meat, remember, a portion is about the size of a deck of cards.  What most of us grew up and learned as "small" portions were usually closer to 2 or more.

Eating right has a learning curve.  Some days will be better than others, and that will continue to be true as you continue on your journey.

[RobynS]

A friend recommended Myfitnesspal, but I was already logging my workouts on MapMyRun and didn't want to switch. I've never been a calorie counter, which is what makes this so difficult and such an eye-opener for me!

I love any kind of meatloaf! I have to make mine gluten and egg free and really shouldn't even use ketchup on it (but I do). I use turkey or a combo of turkey and pork (I'm allergic to beef).

Quoting BelindaDuvessa:

I use Myfitnesspal and Sparkpeople both for tracking food.  For a while I didn't like the Spark tracker and it's still lacking in comparison.  But in all honesty, I don't hold to a strict calorie count.  I stay within a range, usually, of about 100-150 calories within my goal.  Some days that's hard to get.  Some days I just don't want to eat.  Other days I do really good, and some, not so good and go over.  The point is that I'm paying attention to what goes in to my body, which will only help me in the long run.

I love mini meat loaves.  I don't make a traditional meat loaf, because I can't stand bell peppers and onions.  Instead, mine is more an Italian meatloaf, with mushrooms and Italian diced tomatoes.

Quoting RobynS:

Yes, I'm getting better at judging my portions. I make mini-meatloaves instead of a whole meatloaf (we just all like them better) and I only ate one little tiny meatloaf! Thought for sure that would bring me right to 100% for my daily protein, but I went over.

Part of the problem could be how I'm logging it, too... If I see something similar to what I ate that someone else already logged, I just choose that and guess that my portion was similar to theirs. I'm not weighing things or carefully measuring. But I figure this is better than not tracking at all and after I've "gotten my feet wet" I can start getting more and more specific. :)

Thanks for the reply! I feel better after reading what you had to say. :)

Quoting BelindaDuvessa:

I don't blink an eye at too much protein, honestly.  I have protein set to be only 15% of my daily intake of calories and it gives me 68g to work with.  What you ate today would have been well within that range.  You calories seem a bit low, but I have days where I just don't eat alot.  Sodium looks good....all in all, it doesn't look that bad to me.

As for actual portions of meat, remember, a portion is about the size of a deck of cards.  What most of us grew up and learned as "small" portions were usually closer to 2 or more.

Eating right has a learning curve.  Some days will be better than others, and that will continue to be true as you continue on your journey.

[RobynS]

Yeah, I'll bet that even though I'm logging my workouts there, too, it probably doesn't take into account when I lift weights and such. I know I need more protein on those days. I was just surprised at how inconsistent and lopsided my habits are!

Thanks!!

Quoting michiganmom116:

Robyn, I wouldn't worry about getting too much of a necessary nutrient.  Worry more if you don't get enough.  Protein is necessary to rebuild muscle tissue after a workout along with what we need during a typical day. 

MapMyRun would have a software meltdown if it tried to track what I eat during the day  LOL

Just stick with a good variety of whole foods and keep proper portion sizes in mind.

[celestegood]

Exactly.

Quoting michiganmom116:

Robyn, I wouldn't worry about getting too much of a necessary nutrient.  Worry more if you don't get enough.  Protein is necessary to rebuild muscle tissue after a workout along with what we need during a typical day. 

MapMyRun would have a software meltdown if it tried to track what I eat during the day  LOL

Just stick with a good variety of whole foods and keep proper portion sizes in mind.

[celestegood]

Sounds like you are on track. Don't worry unless you are eating too many sugars/fats.

[sassymomntx1961]

Quoting RobynS:

Yeah, I'll bet that even though I'm logging my workouts there, too, it probably doesn't take into account when I lift weights and such. I know I need more protein on those days. I was just surprised at how inconsistent and lopsided my habits are!

Thanks!!

Quoting michiganmom116:

Robyn, I wouldn't worry about getting too much of a necessary nutrient.  Worry more if you don't get enough.  Protein is necessary to rebuild muscle tissue after a workout along with what we need during a typical day. 

MapMyRun would have a software meltdown if it tried to track what I eat during the day  LOL

Just stick with a good variety of whole foods and keep proper portion sizes in mind.

Im afraid to think what my chart would look like lol ouy vey lol

[sanj1213]

I used to eat a lot of protien when I was lifting weights. I wouldn't worry, you're doing a great job. Just keeping track of what you eat is a challenge in itself.