Skip to content
  • Register
    • We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

    Why do people weigh their food?

    2456

    Replies

    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      I'm in to see how many people are going to keep answering an answered question. 2 pages and counting...
    • Posts: 4,440 Member
      I'm in to see how many people are going to keep answering an answered question. 2 pages and counting...

      I'd just like to know why the OP thought she could count calories without weighing.
    • Posts: 110 Member
      show previous quotes

      I'd just like to know why the OP thought she could count calories without weighing.

      Yeah, me too. The question betrays an ignorance if something far more fundamental than calorie counting.
    • Posts: 18,771 Member
      If you're going to post a joke thread, at least put it in the chit chat forum.

      b58b207dc96cd6bcfc368fb7c87926e7-do-not-dumb-here.jpg
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      show previous quotes

      If everyone thought like you did, there would be a question and an answer and that's it. Fortunately, most people are not.
      Yes but after 5-6 people give the same answer common sense would dictate that this is the answer. Especially as this is not one where opinions differ.
      You really only need one right answer.
    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      show previous quotes

      I'd just like to know why the OP thought she could count calories without weighing.
      Ah now THIS is an interesting question.
    • Posts: 270 Member
      I go for the 80% solution. No need for me to weigh foodstuffs on the scale.


      Now if I was going to compete in BB Physique, then I would probably go to the 100% and weigh everything I ate.
    • Posts: 72
      I only weigh my food when a serving size says "ounces". That's the only time I use a scale. :)
    • Posts: 4,440 Member
      show previous quotes
      Yes but after 5-6 people give the same answer common sense would dictate that this is the answer. Especially as this is not one where opinions differ.
      You really only need one right answer.

      I (and I'm thinking others) took it as "Why do YOU weigh your food?" Hence, all the answers.
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 3,685 Member
      So that you know how many calories to count. If 4oz of something is 100 calories and you don't weigh it, how would you know you didn't eat more or less, which would equal more or less calories?

      This ^^^
    • Posts: 875 Member
      show previous quotes
      Ah now THIS is an interesting question.
      Because it's not intuitive that the measurements on the back of the package may not be accurate. If you want one half-cup serving of oatmeal, there's little reason to think that a scoop of oatmeal from a half cup measuring cup isn't right.
    • Posts: 5,481 Member
      I only weigh my food when a serving size says "ounces". That's the only time I use a scale. :)

      That will only last so long. :laugh:

      You should weigh everything now. JS :bigsmile:
    • Posts: 1,164 Member
      weigh it - eat it - log it.

      That should be a bumper sticker.

      Love this!!!
    • Posts: 6,474 Member
      cause they are silly?
    • Posts: 4,440 Member
      show previous quotes
      Because it's not intuitive that the measurements on the back of the package may not be accurate. If you want one half-cup serving of oatmeal, there's little reason to think that a scoop of oatmeal from a half cup measuring cup isn't right.

      I agree with this, but to not see the point in weighing anything? What about meats and produce? That one seems a little obvious to me.
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 27,732 Member
      show previous quotes

      Yeah, me too. The question betrays an ignorance if something far more fundamental than calorie counting.

      Could be worse-- I remember a thread where the OP said she wasn't going to weigh because different foods had different calories at the same weight. :huh:
    • Posts: 4,584 Member
      Am I wrong?
      yes.
    • Posts: 4,926 Member
      show previous quotes

      I'd just like to know why the OP thought she could count calories without weighing.
      You can count calories without weighing. It's all an estimate, even weighing.
      Could be worse-- I remember a thread where the OP said she wasn't going to weigh because different foods had different calories at the same weight. huh

      That's actually true, to some extent. People think the databases are exact and gospel. They're average values based on whatever 'average' strawberries were burnt up to measure. Same as your HRM gives you average calories based on average humans, not your actual burn unique to you. No 4oz. of chicken is identical. But it doesn't matter because estimates are close enough. You can't burn your food up to measure the actual caloric content, then eat it.
    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      show previous quotes

      You should start your own thread about how people say the same thing over and over in a thread, when it's already been said. Let's see how far it goes. Plus, it's more courteous than messing up someone elses thread with your own totally off-topic question.
      I don't see how saying the reason I am posting in the thread is messing it up. Perhaps you should start YOUR own thread and let me be in this one for whatever reason I choose. MFP Police.
    • Posts: 46
      I'll be the dissenter here. I approximate and don't weigh. I'm sure I'm off by a little bit. But I'm trying to learn how to do this on a long term basis and I don't see myself weighing food long term. I've only been using MFP for 6 weeks and so far so good.

      Someone asked how do you do meat/produce without weighing? Most meat and produce is weighed when you purchase it at the store. For example, When I buy wild salmon, I ask for 1lb. I split this into 1/3 and 2/3 pieces. DH eats the bigger piece and I log the 1/3 lb. as 5.5 oz. Sure I'm eyeballing the 1/3&2/3 so I may be off by a little bit but I figure that will average out over time.
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      show previous quotes

      I (and I'm thinking others) took it as "Why do YOU weigh your food?" Hence, all the answers.
      Makes sense. I read it as her not understanding the purpose on weighing in general. I guess we won't know until she comes back! Now I am intrigued :)
    • Posts: 230
      Yes, watch the youtube video!! It explains a big part as to why I weigh my food instead of measuring it.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

      Also, what's wrong with being accurate? Gotta pay attention not only to WHAT goes in your body but HOW MUCH of it you intake.
    • Posts: 483 Member
      :laugh:
    • Posts: 4,323 Member
      I'll be the dissenter here. I approximate and don't weigh. I'm sure I'm off by a little bit. But I'm trying to learn how to do this on a long term basis and I don't see myself weighing food long term. I've only been using MFP for 6 weeks and so far so good.

      Someone asked how do you do meat/produce without weighing? Most meat and produce is weighed when you purchase it at the store. For example, When I buy wild salmon, I ask for 1lb. I split this into 1/3 and 2/3 pieces. DH eats the bigger piece and I log the 1/3 lb. as 5.5 oz. Sure I'm eyeballing the 1/3&2/3 so I may be off by a little bit but I figure that will average out over time.

      sometime just for poops n' giggles, you should approximate a portion of something sometime, and then get an accurate portion by weighing/measuring. it was VERY eye opening for me when i started weighing/measuring.

      "oh THAT's what 4oz of steak looks like"

      you may be better than i at eyeballing, but i know i speak for others when i say it was alarming how off i was.
    • Posts: 27,732 Member
      show previous quotes
      You can count calories without weighing. It's all an estimate, even weighing.
      show previous quotes

      That's actually true, to some extent. People think the databases are exact and gospel. They're average values based on whatever 'average' strawberries were burnt up to measure. Same as your HRM gives you average calories based on average humans, not your actual burn unique to you. No 4oz. of chicken is identical. But it doesn't matter because estimates are close enough. You can't burn your food up to measure the actual caloric content, then eat it.

      True, but she didn't mean comparing chicken to chicken or broccoli to broccoli. She meant there was no point because if she weighed out 4 oz of chicken and 4 oz of strawberries they would have different calorie counts. Ergo, no point to weighing.
    • Posts: 1,781 Member
      show previous quotes

      sometime just for poops n' giggles, you should approximate a portion of something sometime, and then get an accurate portion by weighing/measuring. it was VERY eye opening for me when i started weighing/measuring.

      "oh THAT's what 4oz of steak looks like"

      you may be better than i at eyeballing, but i know i speak for others when i say it was alarming how off i was.
      The MFP Police will probably yell at me for this too but I love your username.

      And I agree with your logic.
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories