Please help - calorie calculator

[MOTH]

Can someone direct me to a calorie calculator?

[chocoholic]

Have you tried fitday.com?

[MOTH]

I didn't see an option for Kale/raw on there and I eat a lot of kale...

[raweater]

Counting calories is not needed on raw, your body will tell you if it is hungry or not (this does not work with cooked food, your body will ask you for more food if it has been cooked due to the destroeyd nutrition).

I myself count calories but only because I eat 4000+ calories/day and want to be sure I'm eating enough for the time of day, for example I don't want to be left with 3000 calories to eat 1 hour before bed, so my only purpose of counting calories is to ensure I've eaten enough for the given time of day.

The reason I need so much is due to my physical activity that requires a lot of energy (weight lifting, biking, etc.).

[Veganforlife]

I agree with Raweater. No need to count calories or carbs or portion sizes when raw. Do you have Alissa's book? She really explains a lot of this in there.

[Eva]

This is not an attack! I really, truly believe that counting calories for the sake of weight loss is counterproductive! Listening to your body, getting regular water, exercise and green smoothies are FAR more effective.

Case in point -- I actually am SMALLER when I have MORE calories and fat! I just listen to what my body wants and go for it... And the pounds just stay off. I sometimes eat 5 avocados, coconut oil, and other fattening, high-calorie items in a day only to find that I eliminate more and end up with a FLAT belly at the end of the day.

Our bodies are complex. Our minds are too. Where is Revvell. She is constantly poking her head in to say "What we focus on expands." So be it with weight, skin issues, positivity, negativity,etc.

All that said, I respect that you are an individual and an adult. You can make your own choices!

Here is another site I found that seems as though it may have a good system, but I have not tried it: http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/

I wish you the best of luck in accomplishing your goals and enjoying the journey there! :)

[walnutty]

This is the one that I use:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/


I also eat lots of raw kale! The best green out there!

[spicyfull]

You count calories......1 2 3 4 5 6 7........There are seven letters in the word calories. Read Alissa's Book over and over until you get it. ITS NOT A DIET..ITS A LIFESTYLE.

[greenday]

Yes, this is a LIFEstyle....but for each of us the journey is different!

I found calorie counters effective with food journaling to ~understand~ in a general sense how much I was eating and how much nutrition I was getting. The "tool" helped me tweak my portions and food choices (yes, EVEN RAW) so that I could more successfully lose weight.

One size does not fit all, peeps.

Moth, I mostly used FitDay in the beginning. Couple of things I learned:

- don't get too hung up on the numbers because raw is so ~nutrient dense~ it may show you trending low in calories and trending high in carb, fat, vitamins, etc. (I found this to be true on most days)

- not every ingredient will be listed but you can either find from other sources, use a similar surrogate product, or input as "custom" to get a read.

- if you use the tool for general trends rather than counting every calorie like it's a "make-or-break" it shouldn't be so frustrating. Because in spirit going raw is about freedom from SAD bonds in the big picture and long run.

How short-term calorie counting helped me is that I now have a really good "eye" for choosing ingredients and/or portions at home, or out in a restaurant where ~Portion Distortion~ is such a huge challenge!

Best of luck to you! I applaud you for taking charge of your health and making it work for YOU. :)

[Eva]

Yes, this is a LIFEstyle....but for each of us the journey is different!

I found calorie counters effective with food journaling to ~understand~ in a general sense how much I was eating and how much nutrition I was getting. The "tool" helped me tweak my portions and food choices (yes, EVEN RAW) so that I could more successfully lose weight.

One size does not fit all, peeps.

Moth, I mostly used FitDay in the beginning. Couple of things I learned:

- don't get too hung up on the numbers because raw is so ~nutrient dense~ it may show you trending low in calories and trending high in carb, fat, vitamins, etc. (I found this to be true on most days)

- not every ingredient will be listed but you can either find from other sources, use a similar surrogate product, or input as "custom" to get a read.

- if you use the tool for general trends rather than counting every calorie like it's a "make-or-break" it shouldn't be so frustrating. Because in spirit going raw is about freedom from SAD bonds in the big picture and long run.

How short-term calorie counting helped me is that I now have a really good "eye" for choosing ingredients and/or portions at home, or out in a restaurant where ~Portion Distortion~ is such a huge challenge!

Best of luck to you! I applaud you for taking charge of your health and making it work for YOU. :)

greenday -- You seem to have a very well-rounded perspective. Thanks for taking the time to share it in such a kind manner. :)

[MOTH]

Thanks everyone! I feel more reassured now. I actually cannot afford Alissa's book at the moment, but as soon as I can, I will purchase it.