How do you measure portions?

ohheyy125

Do you use a tool? cups? Your hand? Special plates?

I can't use my eyes anymore....its not working.

kenazfehu

I've got one of those cheap-o food scales that measures out ounces, plus measuring spoons and a 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup set. A couple of times a week, I'll eyeball my portion, then measure it to see how close I was. I'm getting pretty good! Hopefully I won't be chained to measuring everything forever.

If my weight loss stalls out at some point, I'll probably get one of those electronic digital scales that will measure out grams. So far - no need.

Cyngen

Food scale, measuring spoons, measuring cups when at home. If i go out to eat I eyeball it somewhat. For instance, I order a 6 ounce filet and I wish to have 4 ounces only, I will sort of calculate the portion based upon the whole, and don't take into account any shrinkage due to cooking.

JlSimon22

I use measuring cups and an electronic food scale for everything. It really does help. Sometimes I'm surprised by how much I can have for the serving size and it helps you learn to better gauge when you are eating out. It definitely helps me.

shutterbug282

I've got food scales as well as cups. (:

joeysox

scales are the most accurate and if eating out just stop when full or asked for a smaller portion x

kaypat09

Food scale and measuring cups! Things like tablespoons I have always eyeballed (and obviously that hasn't hindered my weightloss).

BernadetteChurch

Digital kitchen scales. I weigh everything, down to the last gram. I wouldn't trust my eyes for a second because unfortunately they're guided by my stomach!

When it comes to something like pasta or casserole, I've already plugged the recipe into MFP so I know the calories I'm playing with, so I just rely on my eyes. I only cook for me and my husband so it's usually either half or a quarter of what's in the pot. I just make sure he always gets the bigger bowl!

margojr4

I use a scale, cups etc. Most of our bowls, glasses and plates I've pre measured so I know to use the 8oz glass for milk, or the blue bowl for chips or the coffee mug for frozen yogurt.

Have you seen these?? http://www.slimware.com/


Super cool tableware that helps portion control and are very decorative! Asking Santa for a few items this year

MelBristol

Kitchen scales with digital display. You can weigh anything on them from about 3grams to 1.5kg.

I must tell you I was really shocked realizing how much peanut butter and honey I'd put on my toasts. By using the scales, put plate and toast on the scale, press button so it's at zero, put spread on to weigh it and then spread it, I've halved the amount.

jmc0806

Measuring cups but I honestly don't weigh anything, I don't even own a food scale. I just eyeball it and it seems to be working just fine

monicalosesweight

Food cup measurements, measuring spoons and a scale that does both grams and ounces. That seems to work the best.

Monica

TavistockToad

Scales, I weigh EVERYTHING!

TravelDog14

I use a digital kitchen scale that zeros out so I can easily add food to my dinner plate and zero it out between adding each item I'm putting on the plate.

When making my lunches on work days I weigh out the portions the night before and pack it then.

MyM0wM0w

Food scale and measuring cups.

ohheyy125

I use a scale, cups etc. Most of our bowls, glasses and plates I've pre measured so I know to use the 8oz glass for milk, or the blue bowl for chips or the coffee mug for frozen yogurt.

Have you seen these?? http://www.slimware.com/


Super cool tableware that helps portion control and are very decorative! Asking Santa for a few items this year

THAT'S COOL! thanks!

RobynBourgeois

Scales, I weigh EVERYTHING!

Exactly! Hubby has even started helping me weigh food!

cncrafton

I have a $5 food scale from Target. It works just fine! I use it for anything that isn't a liquid, in which case I use cups or spoons.

coolraul07

I use a digital kitchen scale that zeros out so I can easily add food to my dinner plate and zero it out between adding each item I'm putting on the plate.

When making my lunches on work days I weigh out the portions the night before and pack it then.

This plus measuring cups/spoons. I've gotten better at eyeballing, but still refining technique. I've found that I've been overestimating small measurements (e.g. 2 tbsp of ketchup is more than I thought), and underestimating larger measurements (8 oz of tilapia is way more than I was actually eating!)

alaskaang

I weigh my proteins, use a tablespoon to measure out my dressing/oils, and eyeball my veggies.

two_octopodes

I'm another weigher. I use a food scale (grams and ounces), measuring spoons, and measuring cups. I can be a pretty good eye-baller when I'm being honest with myself, but I find it waaaayyy too hard to give into temptation when I do things that way. Much easier to just keep using my tools and only resort to guessing when food prep is out of my control (like when eating out or if someone else does the cooking).

pickledginger

Those little cups applesauce comes in? they're great portable and disposable half-cup measures.

I am generally cooking just for me, so I measure carefully when cooking then don't sweat details of how big each serving was. Or, if I am having yogurt and frozen berries, I just divide package size by the number of servings it'll make.

I have a good food scale, and cups, spoons, etc. They all get used.

If I had to eyeball it, though, I worked enough summers in food service that I can come very close.

ladymiseryali

I use measuring cups and spoons most of the time. Sometimes I trust my eyesight, but mostly don't trust it.

tashaa1992

Food scale and measuring spoons.

Bess_74

At home I use a cheap food scale and plate everything with measuring cups or tablespoons...no more serving spoons for me! When I can't measure & weigh I estimate. Heres my favorite guide to help you estimate more accuratley:
http://caloriecount.about.com/article/when_you_cant_measure_estimate_portions

hiker359

Food scale mostly, but when measuring I use measuring cups and spoons.

WendyTerry420

I use dry measuring cups for dry things, liquid measuring cup for liquids, and measuring spoons for tiny amounts - the same as I do when I am cooking or baking.

zentha1384

First I try to figure out what I'm having for the day and figure out how much I can have of certain things. Then I use a kitchen scale or measuring cups to get to that amount. If I don't eat it all I will try to measure it again to and subtract it from the initial qty. By doing this I can stay under my calories for the day.

If I'm eating something with a bone or other inedible parts I will weigh it out first then weigh the remains when done and enter the difference. That way I don't have to de-bone something that is too hot and burn my fingers or cools too much while doing that.

When making a huge batch of something I take measure everything enter it as a recipe and then I take the total weight and divide it to the calorie content I want for each portion (MFP is a huge help for this). Then I weigh out the portions (usually freezing most of it for later) to that.

ClementineGeorg

Scale and for liquids a measuring cup, while I am at home.

When eating out I use common sense (which has improved from continously weighting things at home). Sometimes I eat at caffeterias or restaurants where I can find out how much food weigths and I rely on that number. I trust them. In the worst case they will give me less food than they say that it weights. )

tdbad1

I mainly use measuring cups and plastic containers. Using the measuring cups instead of a serving spoon, might not look classy but for every day portion control it works for me. We do a lot of freezing of meals and left overs. i found the glad and ziplock containers come in very easy to use sizes that automatically preportions.
we buy our meats in bulk cause it's cheaper and the scale is useful for portioning before freezer bagging.
I tried using those plastic containers that are like plates with sections. For me they didnt' really work well cause i could pile "up".

http://www.dietriffic.com/2007/05/07/a-visual-view-of-serving-size-using-everyday-items-2/

has "eye balling" tricks for portioining if you are out and about.

kingscrown

I can't eyeball it. Just not talented like that. I have a lot of measuring cups and I use a food scale. I find most of the time I get more food. Knowing I can't estimate well I tend to under estimate. Every now and then I'm surprised when something measures out to WAY less than I would have allowed.