Don't Have a Food Scale... Yet
Codilee87
Posts: 509 Member
So I have been using measuring cups and spoons for everything I can and using those portion comparison charts to figure out the rest (a deck of cards = one 4oz serving of meat, for example)
I know that I am probably inadvertently eating more than my estimations so I've just been staying under my recommended calorie goal by at least 300 calories in hopes of balancing things out.
I should be able to get a food scale soon but in case I don't, do you have any suggestions for how I can improve my accuracy?
I know that I am probably inadvertently eating more than my estimations so I've just been staying under my recommended calorie goal by at least 300 calories in hopes of balancing things out.
I should be able to get a food scale soon but in case I don't, do you have any suggestions for how I can improve my accuracy?
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I don't. I'm horrible at estimating.
When you get your scale make sure it can do grams and ozs. Mine is digital and can be zeroed out so I can weigh the plate or bowl and then just weigh what I add to it.0 -
Yowsas, if that's you in your profile pic. It seems you're doing just fine without a food scale
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christinev297 wrote: »Yowsas, if that's you in your profile pic. It seems you're doing just fine without a food scale
The OP has a lot of random fitness models in her profile pictures; doesn't appear to be her.0 -
Lots of people here don't weigh their food. I doubt you need to eat 300 cals below your goal... just eat to your goal while measuring as best you can, and if you don't lose as you expect then lower the goal. Once you get a food scale, keep eating all of that and if you lose faster than expected, increase the goal. If you lose the same, then keep it the same.0
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I was underestimating my meat portions by guessing. A scale has really been helpful. I don't have any other suggestions as far as making guessing more accurate. You know food labels have inherent error of up to 20% legally.0
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I have a scale, but I choose not to use it. I aim for a two pound weight loss, so on any given week, I have a large margin for error. If I lose more quickly than that, I can start eating more. If less quickly, then I look for things I may be over estimating on.0
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TimothyFish wrote: »I have a scale, but I choose not to use it. I aim for a two pound weight loss, so on any given week, I have a large margin for error. If I lose more quickly than that, I can start eating more. If less quickly, then I look for things I may be over estimating on.
So far trial and error has been successful and I'm not too worried that I'm overeating at all but I'm trying to err on the side of caution, at least until I can get a scale.christinev297 wrote: »Yowsas, if that's you in your profile pic. It seems you're doing just fine without a food scale
Lol I wish, no that's my motivation picture (I rotate them as desired lol)0 -
I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as you're losing. The first time I did Weight Watchers, I lost 40 lbs just doing what you did - using measuring spoons, cups, deck of cards /palm of hand for meat. The key is to be aware of what you're eating and pay attention to the portion sizes - and also your progress. If you are not making suffficent progress you are probably under-estimating what you are eating.
On the other hand..this time around I've decided to use a food scale. Found my first conundrum tonight - I had a can of Garbanzo Beans stating that a portion size was: 1/2 Cup (130g.) So I took out my half cup measure, put it on the scale and "tared" it out...and the problem was the cup was full and overflowing LONG before it ever got to 130g.
I bet with some foods you may be eating more, some foods you may be eating less!
Just be diligent with maintaining reasonable portion sizes for now - I do suggest a scale - most definitely - but it can be done without one!
Be sure to use level measures. Except for garbanzo beans.
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How overweight are you and what is your deficit? You can probably forgo it a little longer if you have a large margin of error. Be aware that calorie-dense foods like peanut butter and cheese are super-easy to overestimate.0
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I am 5'7, 200lb(female). I am planning to lose 50lbs long-term. I am eating at approx. 500cal deficit (1500-1800 cal per day depending on activity levels)0
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I'm an inch shorter and I went from 200 to 170 in 4 months with no scale eating 1200ish. I will tell you that I was amazed at how even the prepackaged stuff is heavier than it should be, at how badly I eyeball things, and how two identical bananas can weigh completely different weights. That said, I wouldn't eat 300 calories less. I did that and ended up with scraggly nails because I overestimated THOSE calories.0
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I've always used a scale in addition to cups and measuring stuff. Right now I'm waiting for a new one I ordered on Ebay because I washed my last one and got water in the workings. ;-/
So I've been pre-dividing stuff up - like 8 ounces of cheese int o 8 portions when I get it, and asking the meat dept to cut my meat or fish into 4 oz portions. I'm probably obsessive about it, but it makes my life easier as I don't like thinking about food preparation too much.0 -
I did it for a while without a food scale and didn't leave anywhere near 300 calories of room and it worked fine. Measuring cups work for lots of things, veggies don't have to be that close, fruit can work with the medium banana measure or 20 raspberries (although weighing is lots better), packaged stuff is generally reliable enough, and with meat I went with the measurement on the package or from the butcher and then estimated portion--.25 of a 1 lb piece is 4 oz.
A scale is a lot easier and more fun, though.0 -
obscuremusicreference wrote: »I'm an inch shorter and I went from 200 to 170 in 4 months with no scale eating 1200ish. I will tell you that I was amazed at how even the prepackaged stuff is heavier than it should be, at how badly I eyeball things, and how two identical bananas can weigh completely different weights. That said, I wouldn't eat 300 calories less. I did that and ended up with scraggly nails because I overestimated THOSE calories.
Well, assuming that I am guessing the exact right serving size/weight/calories for all of my food items (which is highly unlikely) but eating approx 300 calories below that number then I am still averaging over 1200 calories most days. So while I do get hunger pangs from time to time, I only occasionally feel as though I've drastically undereaten - and on those days I add a healthy evening snack to my food log make up for any miscalculations.
I know its not a perfect system, but its the best I have for now. Plus, I kind of enjoy learning how my body responds to true hunger vs. boredom cravings and emotional stressors.0 -
47Jacqueline wrote: »I've always used a scale in addition to cups and measuring stuff. Right now I'm waiting for a new one I ordered on Ebay because I washed my last one and got water in the workings. ;-/
So I've been pre-dividing stuff up - like 8 ounces of cheese int o 8 portions when I get it, and asking the meat dept to cut my meat or fish into 4 oz portions. I'm probably obsessive about it, but it makes my life easier as I don't like thinking about food preparation too much.
That is a good tip, although my local small town grocer doesn't have a meat department - its all prepackaged either in the cooler or the freezer lol But cutting up cheese and other such products into the number of serving sizes per package is something I may have to try.0 -
For me the scale is super helpful, but I was losing weight regularly before I got a scale too. I'm also in the camp of thinking that as long as you are losing, you are doing it right! If you find the loss starts slowing down though, a scale is one of the first changes I'd make.0
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I weighed cheese tonight for the first time. That was a rude awakening.
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yes,,,,lol. cheese, peanut butter.....etc.....it's like night and day when u go measuring with cups, vs. a digital kitchen scale hehe......i was like, what? that's all? 32g of peanut butter......1 serving.0
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So I have been using measuring cups and spoons for everything I can and using those portion comparison charts to figure out the rest (a deck of cards = one 4oz serving of meat, for example)
I know that I am probably inadvertently eating more than my estimations so I've just been staying under my recommended calorie goal by at least 300 calories in hopes of balancing things out.
I should be able to get a food scale soon but in case I don't, do you have any suggestions for how I can improve my accuracy?
I'd say working really hard to get that scale because eyeballs and measuring devices just aren't accurate.
I love bananas on my oatmeal in the a.m.- their calorie counts according to grams is 87 calories to 147.
There is no such thing as a medium apple, or a small pear, or a piece of large, small, or medium steak. It's just too hard.
Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
That said, there are people who have never used a food scale, lost weight fine, and maintain just as fine. I hope some of those people, who I see as talented, can give you some good pointers. 0 -
Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.0 -
Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.
Online ordering is your friend.
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The scale is helpful for me, but if your losing I wouldnt stress too much. I got my scale on Amazon for $14 I think...worth it for me.0
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Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.
Online ordering is your friend.
Omg don't even get me started! My husband is Sooo paranoid about any kind of online purchasing, he just flatout refuses. Apparently he's known people who got ripped off and he doesn't want to take any risks. I tried telling him about paypal and other things where you can have a lot more security but he hasn't warmed up to the idea yet. He won't even do online banking - so we have no credit cards and even if we did, we would never use them lol0 -
Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.
Online ordering is your friend.
Omg don't even get me started! My husband is Sooo paranoid about any kind of online purchasing, he just flatout refuses. Apparently he's known people who got ripped off and he doesn't want to take any risks. I tried telling him about paypal and other things where you can have a lot more security but he hasn't warmed up to the idea yet. He won't even do online banking - so we have no credit cards and even if we did, we would never use them lol
Oh no. If you go through major department story, such as Sears, you will be fine. Tell hubby I said so.
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Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.
Online ordering is your friend.
Omg don't even get me started! My husband is Sooo paranoid about any kind of online purchasing, he just flatout refuses. Apparently he's known people who got ripped off and he doesn't want to take any risks. I tried telling him about paypal and other things where you can have a lot more security but he hasn't warmed up to the idea yet. He won't even do online banking - so we have no credit cards and even if we did, we would never use them lol
Oh no. If you go through major department story, such as Sears, you will be fine. Tell hubby I said so.
Lol I'm sure he will be very reassured
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Go to Sears, Target, any department store, and you can find good food scales for $20.00.
I will when I can, but I live on a farm and the only communities nearby are 2000 people or less lol (there are no department stores) On my next trip to the city, a food scale will be at the top of my list.
Online ordering is your friend.
Omg don't even get me started! My husband is Sooo paranoid about any kind of online purchasing, he just flatout refuses. Apparently he's known people who got ripped off and he doesn't want to take any risks. I tried telling him about paypal and other things where you can have a lot more security but he hasn't warmed up to the idea yet. He won't even do online banking - so we have no credit cards and even if we did, we would never use them lol
Oh no. If you go through major department story, such as Sears, you will be fine. Tell hubby I said so.
Lol I'm sure he will be very reassured
Probably not, huh?
Best of luck on finding one.0 -
I've had my debit card replaced 3 times in the past 2 years... All from security breaches swiping the card in store. Never had a problem in my thousands of online transactions!
I bought a food scale on amazon yesterday for $14.25. For now I'm using my mail scale.0 -
Thanks lol actually I'll probably be getting one in the next couple of weeks so it shouldn't be a problem
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Got my food scale yesterday!! And guess what? I get to have way more cheese than I thought! I used to cut 2 thin slices of cheese and thought that was approximately one 30 gram serving, but I just weighed out 30 grams and it was 4.5 slices! I'm doing a happy dance right now
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