I'm having problems keeping track of exactly, or even just an approximate value, or how much calories in taking in. I'm a person with pretty high metabolism, so i'm constantly trying to gain weight or maintain weight; and that requires me to take in more calories than im burning. I'm able to keep track of calories where there's a label telling me about the number of calories, but i have no idea how much i'm taking in when i eat out at lunch at work, or with family and friends to dinner and such.

How do I keep track? OR DO I EVEN NEED TO?

Hey, I have the same prob. Sometimes at te restrauents website you cand find those deatils or if you ask for a nutrition chart at the place they might have one as well. I would check the site first.

www.fitday.com

if you dont keep track of ur caloric intake,

you wont easily reach your fitness goals. its hectic yes, but its a MUST.

go to http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/ and find out info about the foods you eat.

best way to keep track of caloric intakes, make ur own food silly!

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if you think caloric intake is not important, u might as well, be throwing away your fitness goals down the drain.

really, the best way is to just become educated about the food you eat and just about food in general. Read nutritional information ad nauseum.

after doing it for a few months and reading up on this stuff, you will basically be able to tell, by looking at a plate a food, how many carbs/protein/fat and calories with a fair amount of accuracy.

But always check and make sure when you have a chance, some food will surprise you with hidden calories

fitday.com and hours with a kitchen scale. learn how to guess a foods quantity by oz or cups based on sight by weighing it at home or measuring it.

then when you dine out, you'll know the dinner you ordered has 3 servings of steak, 2 servings of potatoes, etc.

most places like Applebee's, TGiFriday's, Bennigans...all their menu items are enough food for 2 average people, possibly 3 if the goal is weight loss. when I dine out, I always go home with 1-2 doggie bags.

I know Applebee's has a weight watchers section of the menu, but it only tells calories, so it's kind of pointless for people concerned with exact protein values and such. That being said, telling values by sight is very, very useful for eating out. I must say the same though, at resturants like that I'm usually taking food home.

http://www.dietfacts.com/fastfood.asp#S