HCB's Journal, 12 September 2012

Nimm posted ont this a while back, and I believe people were understating calories by 25%. 

I believe as Heidijoy most people do underestimate their calorie intake, but MOST people also dont measure/weight everything out properly either. 

Weighing is the only way. I have found when I use the app as "one slice" and check the calories, then weigh it and check the calories there is generally a real big difference between the two.... 

I personally underesimate and overestimate all the time.. I just really use the calorie counter as a guide. Good luck with the research..  

I don't trust calorie counts on labels 100% but I still use them as a guideline. I think the important thing is whether or not you are losing weight. If the weight loss stalls, then either your measurements/calculations are off or your body has moved down to a new, lower level of calorie requirement and you'll have to adjust accordingly. Not too long ago, I read about a recent study that followed two groups of people - those whose weight had remained stable pretty much their whole lives and those who had been chronic yo-yo dieters their whole lives. When they compared people who were the same size and weight from the two groups, the yo-yo dieters required significantly less calories per day to maintain their weight than the non-dieters. So the sad conclusion is that, even when we reach our goals, we who have yo-yo'd up and down our whole lives will still have to struggle harder than those who didn't. But that doesn't mean it can't be done! And building muscle and exercising can help to compensate for some of those discrepancies!  

I heard about that study, too. I believe it was 20% less calories needed to maintain weight; or 1600 calories as opposed to the 2000 calories diet that the steady-weight person would consume to maintain weight. About 15% of Americans accurately estimate how many calories they need to maintain their weight, says recent research by the International Food Information Council Foundation (USA Today), so I'd say we're all ahead of the game here. We pay attention, adjust our exercise and consumption, make healthy food choices. Especially you, HCB! I understand the curiosity, especially when weight stalls.  

I am 100% sure I underestimate. Its human nature.  

I try really hard to measure and weigh everything. I also round up. I make a blender full of smoothie for DH and me every other night and freeze 4 containers. Two 20 oz containers for him and two medium size cups for me. When I figured the amounts left for me at 12 oz each. So my daily smoothie count stays the same even if I have less or if the scooops of whey protein powder were smaller or larger. Some days I over pour his so my portions are like 8-10 oz. But I am too lazy to go in every morning and change that one food entry. So I would have to say I am pretty close to the count as long as the labels are correct.  

I round things up on my food diary and hope it helps compensate for my errors. But realistically, if you are losing weight on your present WOE then the amount of calories you are eating must be the perfect amount for you!  

I try to over estimate btu know that I am probably still under by 200-300 cals just due to human error no matter how careful I am. Estimating cals burned is even harder. It's all estimation. 

This is good information - thanks! I realize it is estimating. I use a food scale (well worth it!), product labels, measuring cups and spoons, etc. So 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil really is 1/2 teaspoon, or half cup of berries really is a half cup. I agree - using FS for calories burned is less accurate or realistic. My heart rate monitor is not set correctly at the moment but I may start using t again - I am losing fine at the moment, but just wondered. 

I try to estimate mine, by measuring and weighing it. But, I still think there is a chance that I'm under doing it some. 

I am not so much a calorie counter but I am certain I eat either too many or too few calories. That fact might be the reason I am not losing. Oh! I am glad to see your thankfulness list. I forgot mine this morning! Thanks for the reminder!  

I have just started counting my carbs again but when I do this, my calories go way down. So YAY for the whole concept. You are a very brainy lady. YOU GOT THIS DIET THING IN THE BAG! Hugs! 

Evelyn is right on target about trusting what you read on labels. To see the latest finding by the Today Show, just Google "Rossen Reports: Can you believe diet frozen dessert labels?" My go-to dessert is underestimated by 68%! So much for meticulously weighing and measuring food, huh? But I guess at the end of the day, recording everything in the food and exercise diaries and seeing results, whether up, down, or stalled, will be the only true indicator.  

Jenkie5: you are right, too. I also think fat and sodium are under reported on labels because people check fot it! 

Isn't it great when your DH is your biggest cheerleader