Measuring portion: weight vs volume

SerenInfantino

Hello, I have begun eating oatmeal for breakfast more regularly recently and I need some advice with measuring the portion. According to the nutrition label, the serving size of 150 calories is 1/2 cup or 40g (dry). However, using my food scale, weighing 1/2 cup comes out to be WAY more than 40g. Close to 60g, in fact. I've used different measuring cups, and I know my scale is accurate and calibrated. What is the reason for this vast difference, and which measurement should I rely on, the 1/2 cup measurement or 40g (which comes out to be less than a 1/3 of a cup)? Thanks for and help you can give me!

quiksylver296

Measuring cups are not accurate. That's why the common recommendation is to weigh your food in grams. The 40 grams is the real 150 calories, not the "half cup".

serindipte

Always weigh when possible:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfcB7GbLmIM

Scottgriesser

If you can weigh it, you should weigh it. Cups/eyeballs are estimates. Grams/oz are not.

wilson10102018

Always weigh pasta and grains dry.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

European baking recipes always specify the flour by weight. Consider that!

However, once you've weighed your oatmeal a few times, you get a sense for what the portion looks like in the cup and you can just measure accordingly.

I add nuts, which are very high in calories, and are thus worth measuring accurately. For a long time I weighed them, but finally I can just reach into the bag and grab something that is very close to an oz. Every so often, I check myself.

In general, you learn to estimate portions through weighing and can eventually eyeball things well enough. It's a good life skill.

kshama2001

I just weigh everything, even liquids.