Maybe this is the equivalent of blasphemy

But I have to ask...if you use the calorie counter associated with this site...do you think it's accurate? I fear it may be telling me I'm eating less calories than I really am.

Some of the stuff is off.  And some is just hard to tell.  When I have checked labels against CC sometimes it varies.  But a lot of stuff is a general product like olives- but different brands have different calorie counts.  And I have not noticed a large difference in anything yet, just 1-10 calories

If something seems fishy I will check multiple sites and look for the most common answer.

1-10 calories isn't a big deal, I can cope with that.  I feared most the stuff I was eating was 50 calories off.

When checking the database and comparing it to labels, you have to keep in mind that companies can and do change their recipes/calorie content often. The cal content online and on the package may not be the same but like the other poster mentioned, the difference is usually minimal. In any case, it helps to remember that the cal content and cal burn are estimations and are not super exact.

Original Post by v_avila:

When checking the database and comparing it to labels, you have to keep in mind that companies can and do change their recipes/calorie content often. The cal content online and on the package may not be the same but like the other poster mentioned, the difference is usually minimal. In any case, it helps to remember that the cal content and cal burn are estimations and are not super exact.

I know. You are right.  I think I was feeling frustrated and looking for something to blame for my plateau.  In reality, it's just me...I don't stick with it.

I was worried about this too just earlier today. It says that my daily calories on average are 1000-1500 calories per day. Which is odd, because I'm aiming for 1500-1600 to lose 1 lb per week. I don't feel deprived or hungry. I even had ice cream yesterday, and was just barely over 1100!

It worries me a little, because I usually exercise about 700-1000 calories a day (by CC estimates).

That can't be healthy, right?

I haven't done much research, but CC's foods are very close to what the packaging says from all the foods I've checked.

Hey klcqtee, it's really not about whether or not you feel deprived or hungry consuming just 1100 calories per day. It's really about caring for your body and providing it with the fuel it needs to function.

The original post was really about minimal differences (+/- 50 calories), but 300 - 500 calories is big. If you are really exercising as much as you said you are, you need to consume more than you are right now.

I think the calorie counts are pretty accurate. I've been using the site every day for seven months and have gone by their estimates the whole time. The math seems pretty close...I've lost 99 lbs using CC's calorie counts. It may help to enter your own labels of foods you eat often. You can then tag them and enter them whenever you eat them. Also, I tend to err on the side of caution. I look for the 2nd highest calorie content for whatever I eat and enter that. For example, there, are wildly differing calorie contents in lasagna. I tend to find the higher calorie entries and use them. Just to be on the safe side.

Good luck! But rest assured, even if you are off by 100 calories a day, you'll still lose weight if you err on the side of caution time and again.

Cheers!

Think of it this way.  As long you keep using the same site, and eating the same way, the calorie count is going to be the same.  If you're losing slowly, keep doing what your doing.  If not, adjust the number of calories.   It shouldnt matter if the site 100% accurate or not, as long as it's consistent.

I've actually noticed the difference in some food labels, too. If you have any doubt, just add it in there manually, that's what I do