Food Scale Guidance

maplesyrup10
maplesyrup10 Posts: 52 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
First let me say, my goal is weight loss. I am 25, have 11 months until I get married and I'm currently 157lbs, 5'4" and would like to be in the 130's. Specifically, 135lbs. I bought a food scale and I understand how to use it, I guess at this point I'm just wondering what to use it for specifically. A lot of the foods I log don't have a "grams" option on their servings. I've been trying to do some research as to what my daily needs are as far as protein goes and such. How do you guys get the most use out of your food scale? Or what's your process to make it useful in your food intake and calorie counting? I'm just looking for some guidance :) Thanks!

Replies

  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    You can actually add the words grams to your search. For example: Jif All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Grams. The first selections will usually have grams in the pull down selection box.

    You can always create your own items and do not have to add it/make available to the MFP database, it will be available for you only. I do every thing in grams. I also use the recipe builder a lot.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited July 2016
    A little something to remember: 28 grams equals 1 ounce
    What foods are you having trouble logging? Ask specifically, and you will get good answers.
  • Tricia7188
    Tricia7188 Posts: 135 Member
    There is a bit of a learning curve with this because there are sooo many database entries.
    If it has a label the grams will be next to the serving size so if you just eat 1/2 c of something and its 50g, weigh the 50g but log as 1/2 c still more accurate but little easier if you can't find a correct entry with grams. (This can be a bit of a pain if you're eating more of the food or not an even amount of servings. In that case just keep searching and usually you'll find a correct entry with grams esp because more and more ppl here are using scales and grams, ppl are adding gram entries all the time, just scroll down or type the food in a different way, ketchup Heinz vs Heinz ketchup will give different entries)
    Anything without a label or a generic food like fuji apple, chicken breast, carrots, etc I always just search "baby carrots usda" "raw chicken breast usda" and that will almost always bring up a 100g result. Plus it's usually more accurate, even if you have chicken that has a label, or carrots, etc.
    Also, If it's something you eat often (I did this with chicken breast) I Google separately from this site how many cals is in 100g just to be SURE that the entry I use is correct .
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    edited July 2016
    One of my browser tabs has https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list.
    Let's suppose you want to use cheddar cheese in a recipe. Copy and paste from the USDA database above "01009, Cheese, cheddar" into your mfp food search. IF YOU USE THE MFP RECIPE TOOL it has to be "01009 Cheese cheddar". You have to remove the commas to get the recipe tool to be non-stupid. The USDA database often has values for "cups". Be cautious about those because it's difficult for you to replicate that value. Use the 100g values. You don't have to use 100g of every food item. Your food scale will tell you how many g you have and you put that number in your food diary. You can use the USDA database to check and verify the values in the mfp food database, which I do often.

    One of my other browser tabs has http://www.convertunits.com/ which is occasionally very handy.
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