Weighing liquids to count calories
guppyphant
Posts: 7 Member
Hi! I have found that it's easier to track liquid calories (like milk in my morning coffee) by weight on a scale rather than using measuring cups but I'm having a heard time finding the conversion online.
The nutrition label indicates calories per mL -- how would I convert that to calories per gram?
Thanks!
The nutrition label indicates calories per mL -- how would I convert that to calories per gram?
Thanks!
0
Replies
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I know the official (with the green check mark) entry for milk has an option for 100g0
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I think that you can. First by weighting 100ml, then check how much calories are in 100ml, so now you can divide the weight by calories. So if 100ml weighs 100grams, and 100ml has 200 calories, then 1 gram has 2 calories.2
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Milliliters (mL) are a volume measurement. Grams (g) are a weight measurement. The conversion would be specific to each food. 100 mL of water does not weigh the same as 100 mL of milk (and 2% milk will weigh different from whole milk). It depends on how dense the liquid is.3
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In fact 100ml of milk (skimmed or full) does weigh 100gms. So it's easy to convert.1
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Thanks everyone
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I weigh liquids too, calories per 100 grams is on the food label. Or at least it should be. One milliliter of water weighs one gram, but grams is weight and milliliter is volume and they aren't interchangeable. Milk, and other watery liquids, has almost, but not quite, the same density as water, because it consists of mainly water, and the difference is negligible in this context.0
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Yep, water based liquids I convert 1:1 (g to ml), small density differences from water are negligible here. For oils it's more like 0.8*ml to get the correct grams ( so 1 tablespoon weighs 12 grams). I never use cups, way to lazy to wash them.1
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2% milk - https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/153?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=fd_s&qlookup=Milk+2%
Whole milk - https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/180?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=35&sort=fd_s&qlookup=Milk+whole
1% milk - https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/154?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=Milk+1%
Fat free milk - https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/134?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=Milk+skim0 -
OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.2
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Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
I like weighing because it's less dishes, lol. Plus a lot of liquids, like oil, get 'stuck' to the measuring spoon so you don't get the full amount...
What I'd do is put your measuring cup on a scale, then fill it, to see how much it weighs, and write it down somewhere, that way you can just use the weight next time.1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
You said "agreed", but you don't agree with Christine?0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
You said "agreed", but you don't agree with Christine?
No. Christine said just use a measuring cup. I agreed. Using the appropriate tool to measure a liquid is more exact than using the inappropriate tool and a swag figure of 1 mL of watery liquids = 1 gram and declaring all milks to be watery.1 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
You said "agreed", but you don't agree with Christine?
No. Christine said just use a measuring cup. I agreed. Using the appropriate tool to measure a liquid is more exact than using the inappropriate tool and a swag figure of 1 mL of watery liquids = 1 gram and declaring all milks to be watery.
OK, but aren't scales appropriate? Even more accurate than measuring spoons/cups?0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.
But why do you need to know the density and use a calculator? Is this what you are talking about, jemhh?0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.
But why do you need to know the density and use a calculator? Is this what you are talking about, jemhh?
Yes.
Liquids are most commonly measured by volume, which means using ounces, mL, etc. Digital scales measure weight. If you do not know the person gram weight of a liquid, using a digital scale for it means you are using the wrong tool. Look at the milk links above and you'll see that different milks have different calorie counts per gram. In the US, at least, most liquids are labeled with servings showing volume, not weight measurements. So unless you find verifiable weight-based nutrition information for them, you should measure by volume.0 -
I generally agree to just stick to measuring cups or tablespoons for liquids, but for milk, I tend to just weigh the stuff. I only really use cow's milk for recipes and would rather avoid more bowls.
We have a cup from Starbucks that has an 8 ounce water fill line. Pretty when I want something else to drink.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.
But why do you need to know the density and use a calculator? Is this what you are talking about, jemhh?
Yes.
Liquids are most commonly measured by volume, which means using ounces, mL, etc. Digital scales measure weight. If you do not know the person gram weight of a liquid, using a digital scale for it means you are using the wrong tool. Look at the milk links above and you'll see that different milks have different calorie counts per gram. In the US, at least, most liquids are labeled with servings showing volume, not weight measurements. So unless you find verifiable weight-based nutrition information for them, you should measure by volume.
Ah, I see - I think. I'm used to grams for everything. For instance, foods I have now - kefir and whole milk have 61 calories per 100 grams, oil has 900, mayo has 730, ketchup, honey, all have calories per 100 grams. The soy sauce is per 100 milliliters. I don't understand using both at the same time. I weigh the food, get the amount in grams, log that, and the calories are added, it's no difference whether it's solid of liquid. Or I use a measuring spoon, and log the volume, and the calories are added. If you have the calories and the grams, and the calories per gram, you have the information you need, and you don't confuse yourself with volume.1 -
I drink 550ml of milk every day. When I get up in the morning i fill up my little measuring jug with milk, and that is my milk receptacle for the day. I add this milk to my cups of tea. I really do not want to weigh each and every time i have a cuppa through out the day.1
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Christine_72 wrote: »I drink 550ml of milk every day. When I get up in the morning i fill up my little measuring jug with milk, and that is my milk receptacle for the day. I add this milk to my cups of tea. I really do not want to weigh each and every time i have a cuppa through out the day.
Then don't
When I drink milk, I pour 80 grams of milk into a small cup. When I make porridge, I pour 100 grams of milk into the saucepan. For smoothies, I also use 100 grams. For hot cocoa, it depends on which mug I choose. I don't track calories anymore, but this ensures I get enough but not too much, and I don't run unexpectedly out. 0 -
I use a measuring cup for liquids, my blender bottle conveniently has ozs and mls marked on the side so I just pour into there and am done.
I never would have thought to weigh a liquid.0 -
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kommodevaran wrote: »
I dont mix protein drinks anymore so I use the cup to drink my water, milk (sometimes juice) from. But yes when I was mixing them I did put the liquid in first to measure it, then poured it into a separate cup and put then put the powder into the blender bottle.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
I dont mix protein drinks anymore so I use the cup to drink my water, milk (sometimes juice) from. But yes when I was mixing them I did put the liquid in first to measure it, then poured it into a separate cup and put then put the powder into the blender bottle.
Good
It sounds like a hassle compared to weighing, though. Guess it depends on what you're used to. 0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.
But why do you need to know the density and use a calculator? Is this what you are talking about, jemhh?
Yes.
Liquids are most commonly measured by volume, which means using ounces, mL, etc. Digital scales measure weight. If you do not know the person gram weight of a liquid, using a digital scale for it means you are using the wrong tool. Look at the milk links above and you'll see that different milks have different calorie counts per gram. In the US, at least, most liquids are labeled with servings showing volume, not weight measurements. So unless you find verifiable weight-based nutrition information for them, you should measure by volume.
Ah, I see - I think. I'm used to grams for everything. For instance, foods I have now - kefir and whole milk have 61 calories per 100 grams, oil has 900, mayo has 730, ketchup, honey, all have calories per 100 grams. The soy sauce is per 100 milliliters. I don't understand using both at the same time. I weigh the food, get the amount in grams, log that, and the calories are added, it's no difference whether it's solid of liquid. Or I use a measuring spoon, and log the volume, and the calories are added. If you have the calories and the grams, and the calories per gram, you have the information you need, and you don't confuse yourself with volume.
I just took a few pictures so you can see the labels for a few liquid items I have on hand. Left column: Bartoli olive oil (tablespoons & mL), Italian salad dressing (tablespoons & grams), ranch salad dressing (tablespoons & mL), sparkling mango cocktail (fluid ounces & mL). Right column: Coca-Cola (fluid ounces & mL), Fairlife chocolate milk (fluid ounces & mL.)
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kommodevaran wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »OMG just use a measuring cup lol Sounds mathematical and time consuming weighing milk.
Agreed.
I don't understand why people will go crazy about weighing solids accurately and then purposely choose not to be exact on liquids.
Weighing is probably more accurate, given that the graduations on a scale are smaller. I.e. with my measuring cups I think the smallest graduation is ~50 mL or thereabouts (been a while since I looked) whereas I can weigh liquids to the nearest gram. As long as you know the density and have a calculator (i.e. phone), you get a much more accurate number by weighing.
But why do you need to know the density and use a calculator? Is this what you are talking about, jemhh?
Yes.
Liquids are most commonly measured by volume, which means using ounces, mL, etc. Digital scales measure weight. If you do not know the person gram weight of a liquid, using a digital scale for it means you are using the wrong tool. Look at the milk links above and you'll see that different milks have different calorie counts per gram. In the US, at least, most liquids are labeled with servings showing volume, not weight measurements. So unless you find verifiable weight-based nutrition information for them, you should measure by volume.
Ah, I see - I think. I'm used to grams for everything. For instance, foods I have now - kefir and whole milk have 61 calories per 100 grams, oil has 900, mayo has 730, ketchup, honey, all have calories per 100 grams. The soy sauce is per 100 milliliters. I don't understand using both at the same time. I weigh the food, get the amount in grams, log that, and the calories are added, it's no difference whether it's solid of liquid. Or I use a measuring spoon, and log the volume, and the calories are added. If you have the calories and the grams, and the calories per gram, you have the information you need, and you don't confuse yourself with volume.
I just took a few pictures so you can see the labels for a few liquid items I have on hand. Left column: Bartoli olive oil (tablespoons & mL), Italian salad dressing (tablespoons & grams), ranch salad dressing (tablespoons & mL), sparkling mango cocktail (fluid ounces & mL). Right column: Coca-Cola (fluid ounces & mL), Fairlife chocolate milk (fluid ounces & mL.)
Thank you, it looks American
Serving sizes 
I guess they work for you guys, but I like to take the amount I want and weigh and log that, that's what I'm used to. 1 -
Weighing is cool, it's neat to learn how people do things differently as long as it works for you that's great
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Good discussion! I personally prefer to weigh my milk because I'm already weighing my cereal and/or yogurt in the morning (and less for me to clean).
Re: the nutrition labels, unfortunately in the US, milk and certain other liquids don't have calories per 100g as standards -- it would definitely make things much easier! My milk only has calories per mL for example
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I use a measuring cup for milk because I drink it out of that cup anyway.0
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