Calorie Counting Guide: Intake for Muscle & Weight Loss

Determining how many calories you need depends on your fitness goals, whether you are a marathon runner or a weightlifter. Use intake formulas to calculate your needs for muscle gain or sustainable weight loss.

spaghetti

Calories in Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

The exact calorie content of spaghetti with meat sauce will depend on the type of pasta and the type of ground meat you use in your sauce, as well as your portion size.

Read more →
Blackberry ice cream

Calories in One Scoop of Ice Cream

The most important tip to remember about shopping for ice cream is this: Read the nutrition facts panel. Don’t rely on the front label unless it states the exact number of calories. Some brands of ice cream may have less fat but more sugar, which means calories lost from fat are replaced with sugar.

Read more →
Platter of grilled eggplant with garlic and dill

Calories in Baked Eggplant

Eggplant provides significant amounts of fiber and manganese, a mineral that acts as an antioxidant. As long as you don't load the eggplant down with fat by frying it with oil or adding fatty toppings such as cheese, it is also relatively low in calories.

Read more →
Wok stir fry vegetables with zucchini, spring asparagus, paprika

How Many Calories Are in a Vegetable Stir-Fry?

It's hard to find a more nutrient-dense meal than a vegetable stir-fry. The veggies are so low in calories that even if you like to serve them over rice -- which can double or triple the total calories -- you'll still have a meal that fits into a weight-loss plan.

Read more →
Biscuits cooling on a rack

How Many Calories Does a Biscuit Have?

When eating flaky biscuits, watch your portions because the calories can quickly add up. Stick with only eating one biscuit to manage your calorie consumption, and make sure to use portion control when adding butter or other condiments.

Read more →
Chinese noodles

Calories in Lo Mein Chinese Food

The food from your favorite Chinese restaurant probably contains a reasonably low amount of saturated and trans fat, but likely, it will provide you with a larger number of calories, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Ordering vegetable lo mein will help keep your caloric intake in check.

Read more →
cold vodka shots

How Many Calories Per Shot of Gin?

Gin contains the same number of calories as other distilled spirits such as rum, vodka and whiskey. Unlike calories from food, alcohol calories have no nutritional value. They do provide energy, however, and can cause weight gain if you consume excess.

Read more →
Mature man sniffing brandy from snifter

How Many Calories Are in Brandy Alcohol?

Alcohol calories can really add up, as each gram of alcohol contains 7 calories, which is more than the 4 calories per gram in carbohydrates and protein but less than the 9 calories per gram in fat.

Read more →
Quesadillas  with Beans and Cheese

How Many Calories in 1/2 Cup of Pinto Beans?

Pinto beans, commonly used either whole in salads, soups and stews or prepared as refried beans in many Mexican dishes, are an excellent source of protein that are high in fiber, yet low in fat. The beans are soaked for several hours and then boiled, with the liquids drained and discarded before serving.

Read more →
burger

How Many Calories Does a Hamburger Have?

Most people know that hamburgers aren't particularly low in calories, but if you load them with toppings or supersize your burger you'll get a meal's worth of calories from the burger alone. If you complete your meal with a large order of fries and an extra-large soda, you could use up your day's calorie allotment.

Read more →
steamed crab legs

How Many Calories in One Pound of Snow Crab Legs?

Snow crabs are one of the more environmentally friendly seafood choices, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. These crabs also provide a number of essential nutrients, including selenium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, niacin, riboflavin and vitamins B-12 and C.

Read more →
Red Curry with Coconut Milk and Vegetarian Ingredients

Calories in Red Curry Sauce

Creamy, spicy red curry sauce is a staple of Thai cuisine, and you'll often find it mixed with vegetables, fish or tofu and served atop a steaming bed of rice. While red curry sauce is healthy in moderate portions, it can be high in fat and calories thanks to the addition of coconut milk.

Read more →
braised beef pot roast stew with vegetables on table

The Calories in Pot Roast

Pot roast is typically made by browning and then slowly simmering a cut of beef with a mix of vegetables and spices in liquid. The result tends to be high in calories in part because of the large serving sizes.

Read more →
Donuts

The Calories in a Sugar Doughnut

Sugar doughnuts are deep-fried in oil, making them rich in calories. Nearly half of the calories come from fat, and most of the rest come from refined carbohydrates.

Read more →
Deli sandwiches still life

Calories in a Torta

“Torta” is a Spanish word that translates literally to “cake,” although a torta can be anything from a flatbread to a wedding cake to a sandwich, depending on the region in which it’s found.

Read more →
Spinach Dip

How Many Calories Are in Spinach Dip?

From the name, you might think that spinach dip is a healthy, low-calorie choice. Take a close look at the ingredients list, however, and you'll realize this dip can pack a lot of calories.

Read more →
Peach tree closeup

How Many Calories Does a Peach Have?

A perfectly ripe peach can be juicier and sweeter than the world's best dessert. This can make it hard to believe that this delectable fruit is both low in calories and high in nutrients -- but it is. The calorie content makes it a perfect choice as a small snack or a sweet topping on yogurt.

Read more →

Percentage of Calories Per Food Group Needed Daily

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the Food Guide Pyramid over 15 years ago. The current dietary guidelines still emphasize the importance of controlling weight and continue to stress the importance of physical activity.

Read more →