Calorie Counter Database Helps With Weight Loss Objectives

By Author: Marcilio David
Total Articles: 70
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Calorie Counter Database software abounds on the internet. You simply choose a food and you get the calories in one serving or 100 grams of the food, depending on the program. Some software allows you to type in the food while others require that you choose from a set menu. There are other variations to calorie counter database software as well.

Whether you are wondering how many calories come in a medium sized apple (65) or how many calories in three Oreo cookies (160) you can find it in a calorie counter database.

You can also put together the calories for a whole meal, though you have to gather each input separately. For instance, for a Spaghetti and Meatballs dinner, you will have to look up the pasta, tomato sauce, and ground beef separately.

Another thing to keep in mind when you are using a calorie counter database is that you have to accurately reflect your portions. Many people underestimate how much food they actually eat. The solution to this is to weigh the food before eating it. That's why many databases will reflect calories per 100 grams of food.

When you eat at restaurants ...
... and fast food establishments, the portion sizes are pre-determined (McDonald's even has a sandwich called the Quarter Pounder based on the pre-cooking weight of the patty). That makes using a calorie counter database for these meals easy. Most of the software programs include calorie counts for meals at the most popular restaurants.

Some of the calorie counter databases have a separate journal option. In this fashion, you can look up the calories of the food you are eating and record it. This is useful for many reasons.

The first reason the journal is helpful is that you can track how many calories you've eaten in a day. That way, if you have had more than you had "budgeted" for the day, you can have a light dinner or put an extra half hour in at the gym.

The second reason is because it allows you to track patterns over time. After you have used the journal feature for at least seven days, look for trouble spots. For instance, many people find that they pack on more calories at lunch than they would like because they eat out most frequently at that meal. By packing a healthy lunch and taking it to work or school, they can eliminate that "problem area" in their diet.

Other people begin to notice that they are drinking their calories. This doesn't just apply to alcohol. Many beverages are high in calories. Orange Juice, for instance, has 120 calories in a single glass. For someone on a low calorie diet, this "health food" can be a diet buster. The journal may help a dieter make better choices about which foods - and drinks - to incorporate into his or her day.

If you are dieting, it is good advice to check out a calorie counter database to see exactly how many calories you're putting into your body each day.
Marcilio David is a cardiologist and webmaster, he is the owner of The Smart Weight Loss Guide, where you can get a lot of diet tips. Come and get a FREE Diet ebook at http://diet.seuamigodopeito.com