Home cooking

[Linda1]

All last week I only ate things that I could easily figure out the calories. Well, I can't eat pre packaged foods over and over, so today I am making a large batch of chili. When you cook, how do you judge the calories? Do you use what is listed on store bought and figure it is close enough? I know I could spend half and hour looking up each ingredient and figure it out, but I don't have time to do that for each meal and each item I make.

I also find it scary to deviate from the pre packaged foods. They are only one serving, no left overs, exact calories, etc.

[Jinx]

when i went from pre-packaged to home cooked that's where portion control really helped. there are sites that tell you a serving of chicken is the size of your palm(can't really remember so that is just an example. they do that for many foods.) for chili i would just have one ladle full(or 1 1/2 depending on ladle size) and put it in a small bowl.

does that help at all? i'll see if i can find a site to link.

*ETA link = http://www.allina.com/ac/transcript....s/PortionSizes

[Di]

I prefer home cooked meals because then I know what's going in the food. I don't go by points or really even calories, I use the "Body For Life" plan which goes by portion size! Eating healthy, this way I can eat the same as the family just always keep in mind of how much I'm eating- I never feel cheated or like I'm missing out! I tried ww once and I was so confused by the points I gave up, know it works for most- just alot of work for me

[theoconbrio]

You can use a site like www.fitday.com to approximate by creating "custom foods," but I think it's pretty time consuming. I agree with Kelli that if you control portions carefully, then you can really learn to wing it and not go overboard.

I personally have trouble keeping my hand steady on the olive oil when I'm cooking.

[Di]

You can use a site like www.fitday.com to approximate by creating "custom foods," but I think it's pretty time consuming. I agree with Kelli that if you control portions carefully, then you can really learn to wing it and not go overboard.

I personally have trouble keeping my hand steady on the olive oil when I'm cooking.

Can you use to much Olive oil! - lucky theres no limit on pepper's, onion's and garlic!! Oh my poor Patients!

[Chester B. Dickens]

This is one of the reasons I'm such a fan of South Beach. It's easier to deal with the carbs than try to figue out calories, especially when cooking from scratch. ((although hidden sugars are admittedly aways a problem))

[Di]

This is one of the reasons I'm such a fan of South Beach. It's easier to deal with the carbs than try to figue out calories, especially when cooking from scratch. ((although hidden sugars are admittedly aways a problem))

Dan I haven't read much on South Beach diet, do they use portion control- or is it manily just low carb's?

[Dani]

They have general points for ww that you can look up. If I don't want to add everything up, I just use the ready points and add up a little to be safe.

[Chester B. Dickens]

This is one of the reasons I'm such a fan of South Beach. It's easier to deal with the carbs than try to figue out calories, especially when cooking from scratch. ((although hidden sugars are admittedly aways a problem))

Dan I haven't read much on South Beach diet, do they use portion control- or is it manily just low carb's?

SB doesn't completely ignore cals or proteins or other issues that cause weight gain, but the thrust, yes, is carbs. Specifically how sugars affect body chemistry, as in the liver and insulin production. He's not even that much into exercise, but clearly says that exercise brings on a ton of other good bennies, including a higher metabolism that leads to quicker results.

When making food decisions, I try for things that sit at the crossroads of lo-carb/lo-cal. But when I need to rate one over the other, I go for lo-carb. For instance, SB is heavily into nuts, specifically Almonds and Pistachios, as snacks. A handful of Almonds is great from a carb standpoint and has fats that are beneficial to good heart health. But they're high in calories. I ignore the cals, opting for the better benefit of lo-carb (and satisfying).

OTOH, something like carrot stix are indeed lo-cal. But they're hi-carb. So I've avoided them.

[Di]

I guess like all things in my life I use the "KISS" rule! Works for wt lose also, my issues is just sticking with, I know it will work I just have to do it! I tend to go lighter on the carbs also, never feel full if I don't have a good protein in there!