Food Scales : Pro and Cons?

Redtango76

I currently do not use or own a food scale . I have been using the mayo clinics recommendations on food portions. They have a handy slide show that relates portion sizes to household objects . I'm considering purchasing a scale to see if increased accuracy would improve my overall results in the long run...how many of you who have lost weight used or not used scales ? And how do you think the use or lack of use have affected your over all results ?

Pebble321

I think they are useful but not essential - I lost weight very steadily last year and only very occasionally weighed things on my old (and inaccurate) scales.

I have since bought a good quality digital scale and I find that using cup or estimated measurements was pretty close for me - I was probably overestimating how much pasta I was eating and underestimating fruit but that wasn't significant enough to affect my weight loss progress.

I work on the theory that all the numbers we use are estimates anyway (food, exercise, BMR, calorie allowance) and that the overestimations probably cancel out the underestimations.

MoreBean13

I have no cons to report- I love mine. I use a digital scale that I purchased from amazon for a very reasonable price. Unlike Rubybelle, My eyeball measurements are not at all trustworthy- and some of them were off enough to make a difference. Peanut Butter, for example, I used to eyeball measure with a spoon, and have since found out that my eyeballed TBSP was really 2! with foods like PB, that can add up!

Since getting my scale, I am much better at eyeballing portions- I can come within a few grams of oats, fruit, veggies- most things really, but just tonight I had a little surprise- I had a sweet potato that I had estimated at around the same size as two others, and when I measured it it was 275 grams and not the 215 I had expected. The difference is about 50 calories- not a tragedy, but not insignificant either.

It's so quick to measure, I wouldn't go without it by choice anytime soon.

Redtango76

Thanks for the feed back ...I think I've decided to purchase one it can't hurt only help.

Nana_Booboo

I love my food scale.

I weigh mostly in grams.

It's whatever you prefer really

pastryari

There are no cons when it comes to a food scale.

Andh_19

I use my digital food scale all the time. They're super handy. I was overestimating serving sizes.

taintedbutterfly18

I bought a food scale a few months ago. I owe a lot of my success to learning what portion control is all about. My food scale taught me that I overeat a lot of things :laugh: I think it is a wise investment.

ArkansasHoney

I love my food scale. It weighs in grams and ounces/pounds. I can also sit a container on it and hit a button marked "Tare" and it zeros out the scale so that I can tell exactly how much food I am measuring.

My digital scale is a ChefMate but I noticed that Kitrics has one just like it on Amazon.

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kitrics-Digital-Nutrition-Scale-Silver/dp/B000U67EI0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343687003&sr=8-2&keywords=chefmate+Digital+food+scale

Redtango76

Yup I'm definitely sold ! Thanks !

LuckyLeprechaun

Pro: it helped me learn I had been eyeballing way too high.

Con: I didn't spend a whole lot, and mine turns itself off after too short of a period of time. I'llbe in the midst of adding more food to the scale, trying to hit a certain mark, and it will shut itself off. This is aggravating. When I replace it, I'll spend more. (It's the $20 Walmart brand scale)

Redtango76

Pro: it helped me learn I had been eyeballing way too high.

Con: I didn't spend a whole lot, and mine turns itself off after too short of a period of time. I'llbe in the midst of adding more food to the scale, trying to hit a certain mark, and it will shut itself off. This is aggravating. When I replace it, I'll spend more. (It's the $20 Walmart brand scale)

Ok good to know ..looks like a few people have been happy with their scales from amazon . I'm going to check there and review ratings.

jo3y20

I have a Biggest Loser digital scale and love it. It measures grams or ounces/pounds. I helps me stay on track.

mercedproperty1617

Food scales are great and can find them very cheap. GNC has some models for about $10 on sale rite now. But really dont need it. The food scale just takes out the guess work and fine tunes your diet more.

RyanR0320

Scales are great. Not just for portion control, but cooking in general. As a professional chef I use scales every day, both for my own personal dietary reasons, and cooking in general.

Its amazing how easy it is to over/underestimate things!

RushBabe214

I already had a digital food scale because I am a baker and prefer to weigh my ingredients. For dieting, I have found it to be an extremely useful tool, at least initially. I pay close attention to my protein macro so I know how many grams I'm getting per day. After a period of time, I'm hoping to be able to eyeball things a bit better.

skierxjes

I have a Biggest Loser digital scale and love it. It measures grams or ounces/pounds. I helps me stay on track.

This. Got it from Walmart for ahh $20-25. Love it. I also love that I can weigh some things in grams and others in lbs&ounces.