Do you guys take your food scale to restaurants?

kjo9692

Where I live basically not a single restaurant has nutritional information on their meals. Unless they are a U.S. food chain or something. I'm planning on doing this but I guess I'll look like a freak LOL.

Has anyone done this? Do people look at you like you are crazy? I don't mind the looks but just wanted to know anyone else's experience on this. Thanks! :bigsmile:

Iknowsaur

I don't know how well that will work, given that most meals from restaurants aren't singular items.
For example, you don't know how much butter is in mashed potatoes, or how many calories are in a certain sauce per gram.

Edited for shameful grammar.

kjo9692

I don't know how well that will work, given that most meals from restaurants aren't singular items.
For example, you don't know how much butter is in mashed potatoes, or how many calories are in a certain sauce per gram.

Edited for shameful grammar.

I know that all ingredients vary depending on the restaurant, but I want to be as accurate as possible though. For example I'm eating enchiladas today, and that's something that everyone does differently, but if I can get at least how much they weigh I won't be too far off I guess. LOL I guess I'm starting to sound a bit obssessive. With knowing how much the food weighs at least I might be 30% off instead of like 60%-80% off.

SonicDeathMonkey80

God no. Live a little. Sheesh lol

lolosensan

I agree with Iknowsaur. I don't see how this would be beneficial. Maybe to weigh steak or chicken or something, but if it's meat just aim for eating the size of a deck of cards. Leave the kitchen scale in the kitchen and save yourself the crazy making.

BlueBombers

Ummmm......no :huh:

Confuzzled4ever

The only things I take to dinner are my dates or people who are going with me.

oh and money.. but only cause restaurants get upset if you forget to pay them.. they have some nerve I tell ya...:grumble:

kjo9692

:laugh:

okay okay I'll leave it at the house :sad:

:flowerforyou:

kjo9692

The only things I take to dinner are my dates or people who are going with me.

oh and money.. but only cause restaurants get upset if you forget to pay them.. they have some nerve I tell ya...:grumble:

Wait. Are you telling me you don't take your camera to take pictures of everyone's meals and upload it to Instagram???!!! :huh:

lolosensan

If you want to lose weight while eating enchiladas, eat one and take the other one home. Get a side of black beans. If there are any side salads or veggie swapping options, take them! The body does not adjust to what you enter on MFP, the mind might, but the body doesn't give a care!

tigersword

God no. Live a little. Sheesh lol

Yep this. Even with a scale, most calorie estimates are way off anyway. Just be reasonable.

lindzalexis

I literally just posted a thread about this same topic

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1225694-eating-out-a-lot-help

I am in situations a lot where I eat out and I don't feel great about how I'm tracking. I'd love any advice.

eddiesmith1

Nope, but I don't eat out often, and when I do I will guestimate on the high side with the knowledge that I am likely not going to hit my goal of 1000 calorie deficit for the day- in fact i pretty much eat whatever i want on the menu if I'm out for dinner i don't worry I went to have fun not fret about the diet (last meal out I had Appetiser,Main,Desert - but no booze since I quit drinking in december (I will put in extra exercise over a few days to try and cover it and drink a lot of water to try and cover the excess sodium that comes with most restaurant meals)

kjo9692

I literally just posted a thread about this same topic

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1225694-eating-out-a-lot-help

I am in situations a lot where I eat out and I don't feel great about how I'm tracking. I'd love any advice.

Right I guess this is what I meant. Sometimes I am forced to eat out about three times a week (due to my job and since I study some days I don't have much time to prepare meals for myself for the next day) and I guess this is what I mean with wanting to take a food scale with me. I'm not too worried about today as today is my cheat meal but would like to have an estimate of how much I'm eating.

laurie04427

I typically look up the item, like let's say guacamole, and compare a few and pick one of the entries in the database on the higher end of the calories and/or sodium but similar to the others. Naw I think bringing a scale would make a specticle a bit, would be hard to enjoy the night.

randomtai

No. :huh: :noway:

Francl27

I'm way too self conscious for that, lol. So I just eyeball it.

cwolfman13

No...that's a bit over the top. Using a food scale is great...it's a great tool...but you also need to be mindful of what those servings look like because yeah...walking around with a food scale everywhere you go is over the top.

There are also a number of websites that illustrate serving sizes using every day objects including your own fists and palms...these are good tools as well. This should be about learning, not being beholden to a food scale or measuring cups or whatever.

Eating out is a great way to practice portion control, moderation, and intuitive eating.

I've been in maintenance for 10 months or so and still use my food scale for some things...but overwhelmingly, I've learned roughly what a serving of this and that is and can pretty well judge things visually or by using my fists and palms as guides. This is pretty important skill long term...best to get some practice.

ndj1979

no, never...that is a little bit obsessive...just enjoy the night out and put a guestimate on it...

kjo9692

No...that's a bit over the top. Using a food scale is great...it's a great tool...but you also need to be mindful of what those servings look like because yeah...walking around with a food scale everywhere you go is over the top.

There are also a number of websites that illustrate serving sizes using every day objects including your own fists and palms...these are good tools as well. This should be about learning, not being beholden to a food scale or measuring cups or whatever.

Eating out is a great way to practice portion control, moderation, and intuitive eating.

I've been in maintenance for 10 months or so and still use my food scale for some things...but overwhelmingly, I've learned roughly what a serving of this and that is and can pretty well judge things visually or by using my fists and palms as guides. This is pretty important skill long term...best to get some practice.

Thanks! I'll google the serving sizes thingy! :drinker: Yeah I can't picture myself living from the food scale even after I reach my goal weight. Eventually I would be using it as my key chain if I kept it up LOL.

LolBroScience

No. Just estimate, and will purposefully overestimate the macros/calories to make up for it. If you're not making a habit of going out to eat all the time, then once in a while won't make that much of an impact. Just be sensible...

randomtai

Eating out is a great way to practice portion control, moderation, and intuitive eating.

Giggity, why yes it is. :laugh: :drinker: :smokin:

lporter229

Just curious how you were planning to weigh your enchiladas anyway...

Shuuma

I DO take a picture of my plate, then when I get home, I log estimates of each thing to the best of my ability. It's not going to be right, I know that, but I try to make sure I put everything in my log.

Everyone takes picture of their plates these days, so I don't look strange doing it..lol

Pirate_chick

No, never have, never will. By law all restaurants need to have nutritional information available upon request. You can just ask for the book. Or look up a comparable dish on MFP.

kjo9692

Just curious how you were planning to weigh your enchiladas anyway...

They serve them in a small plate, so I was going to put the full plate and then after I ate them I was going to weigh the plate and subtract that from the initial amount.

kjo9692

No, never have, never will. By law all restaurants need to have nutritional information available upon request. You can just ask for the book. Or look up a comparable dish on MFP.

Well, that's in first world countries I guess. But in Panama (Central America) we have too many issues for people to be worried about calories :laugh: Like I said, only major (foreign) food chains have nutritional info where I live :frown:

No_Finish_Line

I don't know how well that will work, given that most meals from restaurants aren't singular items.
For example, you don't know how much butter is in mashed potatoes, or how many calories are in a certain sauce per gram.

Edited for shameful grammar.

I know that all ingredients vary depending on the restaurant, but I want to be as accurate as possible though. For example I'm eating enchiladas today, and that's something that everyone does differently, but if I can get at least how much they weigh I won't be too far off I guess. LOL I guess I'm starting to sound a bit obssessive. With knowing how much the food weighs at least I might be 30% off instead of like 60%-80% off.

how would you know how much each component weights tho? if you count 7 ounces of chicken and 2 of cheese when its really 4 onces of chicken and 5 of cheese, its going to make a big difference on macros and overall calories.

or perhaps you look up enchiladas and hope they are in the database by weight?

I guess number two is better but still basically a shot in the dark, and probably only marginally more accurate then picking enchilada and guessing the weight.

in short, yes its way to obsessive. if its that important to you, might as well skip it

JoRocka

no, never...that is a little bit obsessive...just enjoy the night out and put a guestimate on it...

not really.

I have taken mine to all you can eat Brazillian- where it's meat all night!! (giggity). I don't think i'ts obsessive- I don't NOT eat because it's there- I just want to know how MUCH I'm eating. There is a difference I think in being attentive and wanting to know- because science- vs taking it so you can obsessive over every little bit- I just like knowing what I'm eating. I have a friend who weighs his rice at sushi (not the rolls- the bowl that comes on the side- they don't do rice rolls)

I don't take it often- but I have. I have no shame.

No_Finish_Line

its going to be a lot more accurate at that kind of resturant.

although, at this point, i'm sure your pretty good at guessing the weight without needing the scale.

JoRocka

indeed. I agree with you though for the most part- go out and guestimate- I always put stuff in- I just grab the closest thing- even food I make- I can't be assed to put in my own reciepies LOL

I still like to know- because well science.

and yes- all you can eat brazillian- easiest way to use a scale going out- it's not so good at other places. all you can eat meat. So amazing Picania is the best thing to ever happen to cow.