Monday, February 7, 2011

Cut The Fluff: Looking @ Calories

One area that I know I need to look at in my life is calories, where they come from, and how many I'm taking in. I've read my body size and activity level burns about 2500 calories a day. I wore my heart monitor the other day and in 5 hours I burned 1200 calories, which is to say in a 10 hour period, I would have burned 2400 calories and I was doing nothing but cleaning and moving around the house. I plan on doing a complete 24 hour monitor one day, sleeping and all, to see just how many calories I burn on a non-workout day and then compare that with a day I do workout.

Anyway, back to food. I've really been trying to pay attention to what I'm eating and where those calories are actually coming from. Pics below illustrate what I mean...take a look.

A veggie burger {120 cal.}, 14 carrots {35 cal.}, and 1/2 cup lima beans {120 cal.}


for a total of 275 calories.

I also munched on a box of raisins {130 cal.} while I cooked since my blood sugar was dropping. So, with this, I totalled 305 calories for lunch.


Compared to the 325 calories found this teeny, tiny jar of sausages.


I find it pretty interesting the amount of food you can get: two vegetables, two proteins {lima beans w/ 10 grams, and the veggie burger w/ 11 grams} and a fruit that are still less in calories than one can of the sausages. Now, I guess another test comes in which one actually keeps you fuller longer. I'm sure there wasn't as much fat in my lunch compared to the sausage and that will play a part in satisfying my hunger, but overall, I'm still happier to pick the variety over the single portion of meat any day.

How about you? Do you consider yourself educated on portion sizes and calorie intake, or are you like me, still lookin' and still learning?  :)



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14 comments:

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I am a new follower. Hope you are having a great week.
best,
Cindi
www.littleyayas.com

Amy said...

I am horrible about judging portion sizes. I wish I could do a better job. You are so right about choosing the healthy alternative. Much more satisfying and you feel better all around!

Stylist A said...

Just wanted to stop by to let you know you will be my Super-Blogger of the week for Friend Finding Friday this coming Friday. Congrats! Hope you have a great rest of the week and a wonderful weekend!

xo, Supermom Alysha

Frances said...

Following from FFF. www.workingonthesimplelife.blogspot.com

Erica K said...

I'm learning about portion control and really am working hard on loosing weight, lost 15lb since Christmas feels great.

new follower from finding friends friday.
http://www.bassgiraffe.com/2011/02/follow-fridays-0211.html

Dina said...

Hi! Newest follower here. Found your blog on Supermom FFF! Follow back at http://themomandtheblog.com

Ashley said...

It's crazy how much more food you can get when you eat healthy! New follower from FFF! xo

Tricia at Mom is the Only Girl said...

Stopping by from FFF!

LifeBelowZero said...

I'm still learning. I'd rather eat a lot of low cal foods than a small calorie portions. I love your variety choices.
Happy Friday! LOVE your blog!
Visiting from the hop.
New Follower
Freebies 4 Moms
http://casinofreebies3.blogspot.com/

Mary @SweepingMe said...

I am overweight and need to get proactive about watching what I eat.
Any suggestions?

Mary/SweepingMe

Unknown said...

Holy! You burn a LOT of calories in one day! Jealous! I'm pretty down with the calorie counting but sometimes it's hard to figure out what the calories are when you make up recipe.


https://jennoreilly.wordpress.com/

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy said...

Hi!
I'm visiting & following from Friend Finding Fridays.

Congrats on being featured!

Have a great Friday!

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy
http://www.lindaslunacy.blogspot.com

Kenna said...

I am a new follower from Friend Finding Fridays! Cute bog!

Rhonda Gales said...

Learning portion control is on my list of To Do's in 2011. I'm getting better. I even purchased a scale at Walmart last week, and the measuring cup has become my BFF.