Using a food scale

spatulamom · July 2015

Just wanted to throw out a thank you to everyone on here who has emphasized how important it is to use a food scale - I was losing okay from May to June but not consistently. In the last month or so, I've been weighing everything in grams except for liquids (which I never would have done had I not seen that advice here). I'm losing even better and more importantly, I'm losing consistently each week.

It's even easier most the time to throw my ingredients into a container or bowl, weigh them quickly, and get my numbers. And I know I'm accurate in my portion sizes, whereas when I used measuring spoons and cups, I could never really be sure.

To those of you who have constantly stressed the importance of weighing everything, thanks

.

diannethegeek · July 2015

Yay!

Kalikel · July 2015

It really is easier and requires less clean-up.

Congrats on your losses!

californiagirl2012 · July 2015

Yes the scale is certainly the most accurate. Keep up the consistent work. That's what it takes! BOOM! -Roberta

Danixkm · July 2015

All hail the food scale! I seriously couldn't live without mine and it was a shock at first seeing how much I over estimated portion sizes. Congratulations on your loss

slaite1 · July 2015

Awesome! I experienced more consistency as well

_lyndseybrooke_ · July 2015

Here's a measuring tip that some people may not know about...

Instead of measuring things by taking them out of their container and putting them in a bowl that is sitting on your food scale, put the entire container on the food scale, zero it out, and remove whatever it is until you get the negative value you're looking for. For instance, put the tub of peanut butter on the scale, turn it on, then get your spoon and remove the peanut butter until the scale reads -32g (or whatever the serving size is).

This is particularly helpful for things like nut butters, cream cheese, yogurt, etc. because these things tend to stick to the spoon (and fingers). I personally lick said spoon (and fingers) clean after spreading out my peanut butter, so now I know that I'm not getting extra calories by doing that. Whatever is on the spoon is factored into those negative grams.

spatulamom · July 2015

Danixkm wrote: »

All hail the food scale! I seriously couldn't live without mine and it was a shock at first seeing how much I over estimated portion sizes. Congratulations on your loss

Exactly! It's funny, I wasn't not weighing everything deliberately, I just didn't KNOW you could weigh food like that

- I also didn't realize a food scale could weigh in grams. I think I'm going to buy one for work so I have one in the office during the day, too - and I'm taking mine on our weekend trip so I can weigh out snacks in the hotel.

And thanks, all!

Mexicanbigfoot · July 2015

LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »

Here's a measuring tip that some people may not know about...

Instead of measuring things by taking them out of their container and putting them in a bowl that is sitting on your food scale, put the entire container on the food scale, zero it out, and remove whatever it is until you get the negative value you're looking for. For instance, put the tub of peanut butter on the scale, turn it on, then get your spoon and remove the peanut butter until the scale reads -32g (or whatever the serving size is).

This is particularly helpful for things like nut butters, cream cheese, yogurt, etc. because these things tend to stick to the spoon (and fingers). I personally lick said spoon (and fingers) clean after spreading out my peanut butter, so now I know that I'm not getting extra calories by doing that. Whatever is on the spoon is factored into those negative grams.

Mind blown!! Thank you for this tip!!

spatulamom · July 2015

LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »

Here's a measuring tip that some people may not know about...

Instead of measuring things by taking them out of their container and putting them in a bowl that is sitting on your food scale, put the entire container on the food scale, zero it out, and remove whatever it is until you get the negative value you're looking for. For instance, put the tub of peanut butter on the scale, turn it on, then get your spoon and remove the peanut butter until the scale reads -32g (or whatever the serving size is).

This is particularly helpful for things like nut butters, cream cheese, yogurt, etc. because these things tend to stick to the spoon (and fingers). I personally lick said spoon (and fingers) clean after spreading out my peanut butter, so now I know that I'm not getting extra calories by doing that. Whatever is on the spoon is factored into those negative grams.

This? Is a GREAT tip. Thank you!! I was having fits trying to weigh out my Cookie Butter last night!

franfran1821 · July 2015

That's a great tip lyndsey! Thanks

DinoChicken · July 2015

I am obsessed with food.. It's my addiction from growing it to cooking, caning, drying, and eating it.. I find just being able to have extra time with my food in its preparation helps me get over the fact that I'm eating less of it. Hence my love of scales!! I like seeing what a portion says it is and then weighting it out.. I've found pickles are huge liars..

kommodevaran · July 2015

LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »

Here's a measuring tip that some people may not know about...

Instead of measuring things by taking them out of their container and putting them in a bowl that is sitting on your food scale, put the entire container on the food scale, zero it out, and remove whatever it is until you get the negative value you're looking for. For instance, put the tub of peanut butter on the scale, turn it on, then get your spoon and remove the peanut butter until the scale reads -32g (or whatever the serving size is).

This is particularly helpful for things like nut butters, cream cheese, yogurt, etc. because these things tend to stick to the spoon (and fingers). I personally lick said spoon (and fingers) clean after spreading out my peanut butter, so now I know that I'm not getting extra calories by doing that. Whatever is on the spoon is factored into those negative grams.

Yes! This is why MFP is the Illuminati of nutrition and fitness.

Orphia · July 2015

This thread delivers.

Soopatt · July 2015

I thought I knew all the stuffs! Now I know more stuffs and I don't have to waste as much peanut butter! (because of fear of extra lick calories, I was putting the dirty peanut butter spoon directly under a hot tap to avoid temptation)