Food Scale

dls06

Who uses a food scale? I have found it to be such a great help. I was shocked to see what a true portion size really was compared to what I thought it was. I would recommend any newbys to get one. :drinker:

stroken96

I do most of the time

yager8725

i agree they are a bigggg eye opener.

krystonite

Yes!!! I love my food scale. It really is amazing what food actually amounts to.

elizamc

Yes - almost - all of the time.... It's the pasta, rice and potato that is really shocking. 3oz of noodles is almost zilch!

kyrstensmom

I used mine a lot at first, but now only occasionally. It was definitely an eye opener as to what a proper portion size was!

lindalou0703

I like mine.

KokomoJoe

I use it all the time. I have a smaller scale that only goes to 500 g which is great for measuring items like almonds, cashews into 28 g or so. Also for measuring out 100 g of deli meats etc. My larger scale will go to 5 kg in 25 gram increments. Given the large capacity I don't use it as much as the little one. However, throwing a big steak on there then cutting it down into portions does open your eyes.

JeSuisPrest

Have it on my list of things to buy.

bizco

Best investment I ever made on my weight-loss journey! I was also very shocked at how inaccurate measuring cups are. For example, a serving size of old fashioned oatmeal (whole rolled oats) according to the package is 1/2 cup or 40 grams. When you weigh it, 40 grams is far less than a leveled 1/2 cup. Huge difference in calories when you eat it every morning for breakfast.

KokomoJoe

Best investment I ever made on my weight-loss journey! I was also very shocked at how inaccurate measuring cups are. For example, a serving size of old fashioned oatmeal (whole rolled oats) according to the package is 1/2 cup or 40 grams. When you weigh it, 40 grams is far less than a leveled 1/2 cup. Huge difference in calories when you eat it every morning for breakfast.

I've noticed that too. I guess that's why they say the true bakers do everything by weight and not measuring cups etc. Sometimes I just find it hard to get info on 100 g of raw cabbage or whatever, because most sites list 1 cup raw 1/2 cup cooked etc.

katkins3

We actually take our small food scale out to the bakery with us. We used to sort of hide it and sneak the item we weighed onto it. Now we just put it on the table and weigh our focaccia. The portion sizes varied so much it was the only way to know how many grams we were getting. its our favorite Sat. lunch and we couldn't give it up and we couldn't just guess the weight.
When we just can't bring a scale, we use the ap called FIGWEE, to help figure portion sizes.

lablvr6

I use my for everything It sits at the dinner table so 8 can weigh my food without guessing. It is an Escali.

caveats

I used it all the time at the beginning. Costco sells a digital one that is ~$50 and will measure in oz. or g -- it's been super useful.

It was definitely a lesson in portion sizes. And, yes, this is why many bakers will use weight measurements instead of volume. (I've messed up many a loaf of bread trying to level a cup of flour when weight would've been a lot easier and more accurate.)

Now, I'm a lot less anal retentive and I do eyeball it a lot more. But at the same time, I'm not being restrictive about my calories right now. When I get back into running a deficit, I'll probably use the scale more.

liveinthemix

Def gotta pick one up.. I'm always wondering if the portions I'm 'eyeing' are accurate..

DesertSunsetRain

Best investment I ever made on my weight-loss journey! I was also very shocked at how inaccurate measuring cups are. For example, a serving size of old fashioned oatmeal (whole rolled oats) according to the package is 1/2 cup or 40 grams. When you weigh it, 40 grams is far less than a leveled 1/2 cup. Huge difference in calories when you eat it every morning for breakfast.

This scares me a little bit. How much more am I actually eating? I don't have a food scale and I have been eating oatmeal for breakfast every morning. Is it more like a 1/4 cup? Or what? People say that it was a huge eye opener with portion sizes am I unknowingly eating double the calories because I just measure with measuring cups for most things? How much of an eye opener is it?

MsBaby117

I do...I used it everyday...It helps with making sure I'm eating the right portions...Along with my measuring cups/spoons etc.

leenites

I use it everyday! I was very reluctant to purchase it but it is worth every single cent I paid!
Portion calculation is so much easier with a proper scale.

leenites

I use it everyday! I was very reluctant to purchase it but it is worth every single cent I paid!
Portion calculation is so much easier with a proper scale.

SORRY FOR DOUBLE POST!

CharlieBarleyMom

I've noticed that too. I guess that's why they say the true bakers do everything by weight and not measuring cups etc. Sometimes I just find it hard to get info on 100 g of raw cabbage or whatever, because most sites list 1 cup raw 1/2 cup cooked etc.

For this, search google and all will be given to you. I use a site called SelfNutritionData which has been very very helpful. I always use a scale but I like to make sure that I weigh my ingredients when raw... many of the items in the MFP database are hard to tell whether they are raw or cooked... so I add what I need as I need it...

http://nutritiondata.self.com/

sunkisses

Putting one on my wishlist. Any one of you - please feel free to purchase it for me. :bigsmile:

Lesliecs

I use mine all the time! I am not good at eye-balling and if I'm going to do this, I want to do it right! I just bought a new digital "Biggest Loser" scale and I love it! (I was using an old fashioned postage scale that I'm sure wasn't very accurate). They are not that expensive and worth every penny. Mine will weigh in oz. or grams.

fallenangelloves

There are definitely times I know I need one.... For now I'm ok wth measuring cups, but I figure when I get closer to my goal it may become a necessity!

Ddietzz

You have to get one !!! Got mine at Target - about $25, After using it i can tell you this
1. Make sure it measures in grams and ounces
2. Make sure it can be zero'ed out - I use this feature all the time
If you want to weigh a chicken breast put your plate on the scale - zero it - put your chicken on it - zero it again - put your veggies on it, etc.... BEST FEATURE !!!!
3. The only thing i would like to have on it would be if it were back lit, sometimes the plate covers the numbers making it harder to read.

Look at it this way... I thought that when i bought a package of precooked chicken breast from Sams Club it said serving size 3oz they all looked pretty close to the same size, after getting the scale, they are all different and none are 3oz.

fisherlassie

Yes, I just started. It is very illuminating.

ZennzayK

I use it all the time - I have had a love/hate relationship with it over the years. Now I just find it embarrassing to use when I'm at work... I'm constantly trying to hide it when co-workers walk into the kitchen... I don't want to seem TOO obsessive...

alyssamiller77

Got one recently and I love it. I've found a complete mix. Some foods I was over estimating, other I was under estimating and some I as doing a really good job of estimating.

michelledruss

I use my food scale all the time. I used to think three ounces of meat is so much more that it actually is. Now I can eyeball portions better. But sometimes when I am out to eat I wish I had it with me and then remember how stupid I would look weighing my food at a restaurant.

sinilau

Man, I feel like an idiot. I have a nice digital food scale sitting in my cupboard gathering dust as we speak. I am going to pull that thing out and start using it! Thanks!