How to count calories?

[Babycakes1]

Counting calories is such a chore, especially since each time I have to refer to a book to figure out what is in which food.

Does anyone have an easy way to count calories?

[albert53]

I agree with Osiag's comments, certainly that you will probably eat few different foods.....those you like that don't load the calories. You should still eat a balanced diet though.
Writing down the calorie content of what you eat as you go quickly makes you familiar with calories so that you don't often have to refer to your calorie book.
I think the act of calorie counting limits intake by focusing your mind on what you are consuming and so inhibits eating.  
Tips to give more mouthfulls and make food seem more ...cut foods into small pieces ...use a very small spoon to eat some foods....slice fruits like apples and bananas.
Good luck. Albert

[osiag]

The easiest thing to do is to memorize the calorie content for the foods that you eat most frenquently.  First off, people eat remarkable few different types of foods.  You don't have to be perfectly accurate either.  Some things you may overestimate and some you may under estimate.  If you are reasonable, you'll be in the ballpark.  I have being doing this for 18 years.  I know no one who sticks to the book look up method.  Furthermore, within the last 18 years my weight has only fluctutated by five lbs.  For example, put it in your head that 3 ozs of chicken or turkey is 120 cals, lean red meat 160 cals, fatty meat 220; on eoz of cheese is 70, etc.

good luck