For those who have competed or gotten down to single digit BF did you count veggies in your daily intake? Is it only necessary when getting into contest condition?
I am a few days into my cut and wonder if I should stop counting them. Whereas I stick to the same starches I may eat a variety of veggies and weighing/measuring them is a hassle.
I don’t. Most competitors I know don’t. SOme people do though. The bottom line is that whichever approach you take, as long as you’re consistent (either always do or always don’t), you’ll be fine.
S
Depends on the veggies and how much you’re eating. Broccoli and green beans have minimal calories, can eat a pound of them for like 100-150 calories. I still count them, but they’re pretty miniscule. Things like carrots, corn, peas, etc. actually have some calories in them. I think peas are like 400-500 cals for a pound of them? Not sure exactly.
But yes I would say if you vary your veggies between ones with calories and ones with minimal calories, you should keep at least a rough track similar to what I do. A 300-500 calorie difference between veggies is significant enough in my eyes. Granted, if all you eat is a 8 ounces of broccoli or green beans you could probably get by without counting them. But 16 ounces of carrots or peas or corn I feel should be recorded.
I don’t measure exactly, I look at the bag for calories before I cook them then estimate how much I eat (i.e. 1/4, 1/2 of the bag) and use that as my calories consumed.
Oh yeah, should have mentioned that while a good number of veggies are regarded as “free” foods, there are some that aren’t.
If you stick to the green fibrous ones and a few odd non-greens (onions, peppers etc), you’ll pretty good not worrying too much about 'em.
S
Thanks. Would your veggie intake stay relatively the same through out the week or would you eat 1 lb one day .5 lb the next. I worry that I may start using the veggies as a way to stay “full” and it effecting my progress.
I stick to greens, peppers, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms.
I never measured them out. If I was hungry (which was pretty often), I would make sure to include veggies with my meals. I’d cook peppers and onions in my morning eggs, always have sides of broccoli, spinach or even just a huge salad with lunch,… nothing really overly planned.
S