How much does your meat weigh?!

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Replies

  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    Thanks Susan..No, I was just talking about some frozen chicken breast from anywhere, and really any type of food that's typically measured..is grams the standard for measuring?

    Yes all macro and micro nutrients are per gram for solid foods, nutrition and dietetics are scientific disciplines. Cups are a convenience tool, they aren't used in many countries and they aren't used in pharmacies or laboratories AFAIK.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    I weigh meat raw and use the USDA raw values. I think the water content is more consistent in raw meat than in cooked.
    If anything, you over estimate the calories this way. I'd rather do that than under estimate when I'm trying to lose.
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I've weighed both before, and after. I believe 4 oz of raw chicken came out to about 3 oz of cooked chicken. If you check the MFP database, I think 4 oz of grilled chicken comes out at a higher calorie count than what you get with the raw numbers.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    Yes, it's very different. Yes, measuring is the second most important thing in weight loss after logging.

    Meat is easy to be accurate on, because when you buy it it is labeled on the package. Then you can just divide up your portions for an accurate weight.

    Google portion size guide and click on images (http://www.google.com/search?q=portion+size+guide&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=S6n6UPHpH-O_0AGOqIGADg&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=713)

    You'll get visual pictures of portion sizes for when you can't weigh. You can stick it in your pocket.

    ^^^^This helps a lot!! Great info.
  • For_the_Last_Time
    For_the_Last_Time Posts: 136 Member
    I was always told to weigh it after you cook it....now I don't know.

    I wondered this also, because the meat shrivels up after its prepared.


    When using the database there are options for raw and cooked, so just make sure you are using the one for method you are using.

    Also sometimes I will weigh something and picked the wrong one on how it is listed in the database. 1 oz equals 28 grams (actually 28.349) so you can convert it to meet the database listing.
  • laurenz2501
    laurenz2501 Posts: 839 Member
    if-you-know-what-i-mean.png

    Sorry to commit the cardinal sin of "pic quoting" but I laughed so hard at this I just had to...

    Also, very good info in the comments. I didn't know you should measure before cooking. I would think after also since it could vary in size after cooking. Does anyone know WHY you should weigh before as opposed to after?
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member


    Also, very good info in the comments. I didn't know you should measure before cooking. I would think after also since it could vary in size after cooking. Does anyone know WHY you should weigh before as opposed to after?
    The reason I weigh raw is because "cooked" can mean different things to different people. You know, shoe leather or bloody as hell. The water content of your cooking may be different than the one listed...raw is raw.
    The USDA db has raw values so I think that is more consistant in water/calorie content.
  • jesz124
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
    The title of his thread is highly misleading and I am thoroughly disappointed by the lack of humorous replies about meat size from the guys. ;-))
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    I've weighed both before, and after. I believe 4 oz of raw chicken came out to about 3 oz of cooked chicken. If you check the MFP database, I think 4 oz of grilled chicken comes out at a higher calorie count than what you get with the raw numbers.
    This makes sense also. Is there anything you guys weigh besides meat? I know measuring cups can cover quite a bit, but I saw one person say condiments, I never thought of that.
  • For_the_Last_Time
    For_the_Last_Time Posts: 136 Member
    I've weighed both before, and after. I believe 4 oz of raw chicken came out to about 3 oz of cooked chicken. If you check the MFP database, I think 4 oz of grilled chicken comes out at a higher calorie count than what you get with the raw numbers.
    This makes sense also. Is there anything you guys weigh besides meat? I know measuring cups can cover quite a bit, but I saw one person say condiments, I never thought of that.

    Everything besides liquids.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    I've weighed both before, and after. I believe 4 oz of raw chicken came out to about 3 oz of cooked chicken. If you check the MFP database, I think 4 oz of grilled chicken comes out at a higher calorie count than what you get with the raw numbers.
    This makes sense also. Is there anything you guys weigh besides meat? I know measuring cups can cover quite a bit, but I saw one person say condiments, I never thought of that.
    Everything. Rice potatoes, veg, yoghurt, sugar, flour...you name it. When I make fridge oatmeal, it's easy to add greek yoghurt from a big tub by putting the jar on the scale, zeroing it and adding stuff. Then zero again and add the next ingredient.
  • SMK683
    SMK683 Posts: 31 Member
    I weigh after. I use a Weight Watchers scale that converts from ounces to grams. I can zero out the plate, weigh an item, zero it again and add another food to the same plate. This makes it easier to weigh and use the same plate.
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    The title of his thread is highly misleading and I am thoroughly disappointed by the lack of humorous replies about meat size from the guys. ;-))
    Yeah me too.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    I've learned a lot from this! Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond!! Any other feedback is welcomed....
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    If the label says 4oz serving = such and such, they are going by uncooked weight. That is how the MUST label, same with restaurants.
  • laurelobrien
    laurelobrien Posts: 156 Member
    I find it varies greatly! I invested in a kitchen scale a long time ago and get much more accurate calorie results. Always weigh uncooked, as the weight of cooked meat can vary hugely (based on how much water is still in it).
  • VanillaBeanSeed
    VanillaBeanSeed Posts: 562 Member
    Definately weigh!! Portions in a container are usually not portioned correctly!!
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member


    Thanks Susan..No, I was just talking about some frozen chicken breast from anywhere, and really any type of food that's typically measured..is grams the standard for measuring?

    It's just grams are more accurate. 1 grams = 0.035274 ounces.

    As an aside, I've been making most of my own bread. In much of Europe, recipes are set forth in grams rather than by volume like cups or tablespoons. It is much easier to cook that way. And especially when it comes to baking, more precise.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    I had no idea measuring entailed so much. I feel incorporating this measuring into my dirt will assist me in dropping more weight and ensuring I'm a bit more thorough in my logging.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    I had no idea measuring entailed so much. I feel incorporating this measuring into my dirt will assist me in dropping more weight and ensuring I'm a bit more thorough in my logging.
  • 1stday13
    1stday13 Posts: 433 Member
    I find it varies greatly! I invested in a kitchen scale a long time ago and get much more accurate calorie results. Always weigh uncooked, as the weight of cooked meat can vary hugely (based on how much water is still in it).
    Love this post. I have been trying to figure all these things out too...:huh: However with all the different answers, do I just pick the one I like most and go with that :noway: ^ If the before weight includes water why would that be included in serving size? ? Wouldn't it be more accurate after cooking all the water ( or juices) out ? I may be more confused than ever :sad: PS( did enjoy Troll like comments, all I could do not to run with them too ):laugh:
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member
    My understanding is that the nutritional information figured for foods in the database here and elsewhere is based on raw foods.

    I think figuring caloric intake is as much art as science.
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    I find it varies greatly! I invested in a kitchen scale a long time ago and get much more accurate calorie results. Always weigh uncooked, as the weight of cooked meat can vary hugely (based on how much water is still in it).
    Love this post. I have been trying to figure all these things out too...:huh: However with all the different answers, do I just pick the one I like most and go with that :noway: ^ If the before weight includes water why would that be included in serving size? ? Wouldn't it be more accurate after cooking all the water ( or juices) out ? I may be more confused than ever :sad: PS( did enjoy Troll like comments, all I could do not to run with them too ):laugh:

    This is what I thought also..If I weigh a piece of Salmon and it was 6 ounces raw, but after cooking it went down to 4, still log it as 6 is what I see a lot of consensus on. And hey, you can troll and inform also...keeps it fresh and fun...LOL.

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