Measuring vegetables.....

wardf
wardf Posts: 33
in Food and Nutrition
I have been on a vegetable kick recently and love it, my only problem is.... how does one measure a cup of vegetables? Everywhere that I see a caloric value of vegetables, it is in cups.... there is sooooo much air in the cup if filled with a vegetable, regardless of the vegetable... is it really measured a cup even if only one, maybe two pieces of the vegetable fit?

Replies

  • SouthernArt77
    SouthernArt77 Posts: 223 Member
    If you can find the official entry for the vegetable (It won't have * before it), you can change the unit of measure to grams, then you will be able to weigh your portion out. It's a lot more accurate, and it's easier IMO. If you don't have a digital scale that toggles between grams/ounces, I highly recommend one. It was the best $20 I've spent for our kitchen. I use it every day!

    ETA: The easiest way I've found to search for the official MFP database entry for a food is to include "raw" or "cooked" in my search.

    Hope this helps!
  • blazergrad
    blazergrad Posts: 603 Member
    You can also check out the USDA Nutrient database at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/list. Key in your vegetable name or use the categories down the left-hand side. The data is given based on grams. Practically any food you can think of is in there! :)
  • deadmittens
    deadmittens Posts: 536 Member
    I guesstimate my veggies. You're pretty safe when it comes to veggies calorie wise. Fruits are more dangerous... those deviant avocados and mangos :grumble:
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
    You can find a kitchen scale for less than $20. I love mine! It is great for hard to measure things like nuts or homemade items.
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    I don't bother measuring most of my low-cal veggies. Broccoli isn't what made me fat.

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