How to use a kitchen scale

age_is_just_a_number

I’ve noticed a few threads in which people are uncertain about how to use their kitchen scale easily. I’ve created this post based on a compilation of two responses @AnnPT77 and I posted in a thread. 

These are generic instructions but should apply to most food scales.

Unit of measurement: 

Some scales have a bottom of the device to choose the unit of measurement. You need to decide if you want to weigh in grams or ounces, then make that selection.

Other scales have a unit button on the top and display the unit of measurement. 

On-Off: 

Almost all scales have an on - off switch —> hopefully, that’s pretty self explanatory.

Some scales auto turn on when something is put on the scale

Tare:

The tare button allows you to zero out the scale between additions to weigh only the newly added item. For items you're taking out of a jar (like peanut butter or mayo or yogurt) or cutting off a chunk of something (like cheese or meat), put the whole jar or chunk on the scale. Zero (tare) the scale. Dip out or cut off the amount you want for your serving. The negative number that appears on the scale is the amount you took out of the jar or off the chunk. 

For example, say you are having granola, protein powder and yogurt for breakfast, you’d use it like this:

A) Turn on the scale

B )Put a bowl on the scale

C) Click Tare —> now the scale will show 0 weight

D) Put in the bowl whatever you want to weigh. In my example the granola. The scale will show the weight of that item —> log this food amount in MFP diary

E) Click Tare —> now the scale will show 0 weight

F) Put in the bowl the second food you want to weigh. In my example the protein powder. The scale will show the weight of that item. —> log this food amount in MFP diary

G) remove the bowl, put your yogurt tub on the scale 

H) click Tare —> now the scale will show 0 weight

I) scoop out the yogurt you want and put in into your bowl. The scale will show a negative number. That negative number is the amount you’ve removed from the yogurt tub. Record the yogurt in MFP. 

It is just that simple. I do it every morning for my breakfast. It does not take any longer than just putting the food directly in the bowl and I get he benefit of ensuring I’m eating the amount I want to eat.

No extra cups/spoons washing, plus more accurate.

To make it as easy as possible, we leave our food scale on the kitchen counter.