So I've used the recipe calculator on MFP, but I have a question about servings sizes. Today I created my chili recipe, but how do you determine how big a serving size is? My calculations say that each serving is 361 cals, but exactly how big is that serving size?

If you want to be exact, add together the calories of each ingredient you use, and measure the output in chili. Divide it up and you can get X amount per cup.

I normally go on what other "same type" recipes have listed. So, if it's chilli, I look up a chilli recipe and assume it's close to that serving size.

Not exact but it gets the job done.

There's a recipe calculator?
(going in search)

I usually just put down 1 cup as a serving size. I have a lot of home made recipes in my recipe section and that seems like a good general guideline.

Awesome. I'm going to go with one cup.....Thanks guys.

At the begining it asks you how many it serves. Then it divides the calories by that number. For a liquid like chili you might have to just decide how much you may want your portion to be and and then measure the whole batch out into portions of that size.

What I would do is measure the whole batch using a glass measuring cup into a large bowl just to determine how many cups there are then pour it back in the pot ot crock pot. It's an extra step and an extra couple items to have to wash but it's really the only way to tell the first time..

You had to put in how many people it served when you created the recipe!! When you divide that number into your chili, that's your serving size.

This won't always work.

If your recepie card says it serves 10 and you portion it out into only 6 servings your calorie count is not going to be right so you need to pay attention to that.

I always make it once then portion it all out (some for freezing some for leftovers the rest to eat) and put that number in as the number of servings to get a more exact count.

To get the best calorie count you need to make the chili and actually measure out how many cups it makes. After that is done then you can put in the # of 1 cup servings as your serving count. Otherwise, you can be way off. It is only a problem the first time. After that, just follow your recipe in MFP and you have a pretty good calorie count for the next time as well.

Depends on how many serving I get out of it. If it is too many cals I make it serve more.....

This makes sense. I will make sure I do this. Thanks

You're welcome. This is how I did it about 10 days ago! LOL. My family just watched and laughed but it made me quite happy! :)

You can't really put a generic, you should really portion out what you made so you know how many servings there are. I make a big crockpot of chili, and I usually get like 16 1 cups servings. So then I know when I make it in the crock and use the same recipe, it should always be around the same. Would be different if you just made a small pot on the stove may only have like 6 to 8 servings.

I highly suggest measuring it out by 1 cups servings, would make things much more accurate and easier for you. And what nice about the recipes is if you alter anything in the recipe, you can just go and edit it and take out what you need or add in.

I use the recipe feature alot and I find it so very helpful!

I either measure the chili(or soup) to see how many cups, then use how many cups for a serving.. Or I dip it up into individual containers- count the containers- then use that number for how many servings. (I am making tomato soup today)

I've always had the same problem with determining serving sizes. I usually go by how much I eat at a time... and then times that by how many times it takes me to finish it. Of course.... I'm sure that's not right. I probably get more than I should have. LOL

My family does a lot of watching and laughing too!