Amazed to discover calorie contents

[FantasticMrsFoxx]

I'm trying to lose weight and have started using MFP and despite thinking I'm reasonable intelligent and understanding that chocolate has more calories than an apple, I have to say I've been genuinely surprised by the calorie content of some foods:
One (thumb size) milky way choc is 96 calories - which is approx what I expended on my 20 minute walk to the gym; and the (pre packed) Mediterranean salad bowl I had (with pizza!) tonight was just 32 calories!
It explains a lot....!!
My "problem" has been all the "extra" calories (wine, choc, crisps... wine mainly!) I've been consuming without really thinking but sadistically enjoying the "burn" of working out and thinking "be gone jaffa cake"!

But surely you've noticed calorie counts on packaging before?

I know this sounds silly but yes I paid attention to this but not to the serving sizes. So a quick scan of the cals in, say, pasta registered in my brain as 200 calories but I was eating 500 calories worth of it. Same with some things that look like they're a portion by the size of them (some bags of crisps, some drinks) they're actually 2-3 portions and so the calories are more than I thought overall. I always look at serving sizes now.

I love mfp too but I only use it to count on a fast day ( I'm on the 5:2)
Things I was surprised were low in calories:
smoked salmon (106 per 100g but 40g is a big portion for lunch)
jar of artichokes (aldi, 80 per 100g
Squid is 106/100g (m&s deli style in tapas range)
Mushrooms 13 per 100g

I love it too. I've never done any kind of calorie counting before but it makes it so easy, but I agree some of the calories in things are a shocker when you weigh out a portion and compare it to the 2-3 portions you have been eating. That skinny popcorn (Maynards maybe?) is good for a treat as you can have loads for 100 cals. Also been using spray olive oil to cook with, makes you think about how many calories you're eating from frying the onions etc. for the sauce base or whatever.
I have had to virtually ban cheese though because I just can't moderate myself with it Lost 8lbs in 2 months though so really chuffed!

CheeseEater - one reason I'm doing so much better on MFP than iI ever did on WW is that I can eat cheese. 20-30g of cheddar merely counts for its actual calorie count, rather than 1/3 of a day's points! I find it helpful to use it as a flavourful (and nutritious!) addition to a ham or pastrami sandwich, though.

500 calories is far more than I would eat for lunch!

I aim for half that.

Which perhaps accounts for the difference in choice of supplier.

But does not account for Pret omitting the calories in the dressing from the packaging, so you can easily read what you are likely to consume.

I do admire your restraint in only putting half of the supplied dressing onto the salad! I could never stop part way through.