Anyone use a kitchen scale to weigh food before eating?

laughsalot785
laughsalot785 Posts: 7 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi folks,

I've been thinking about getting a kitchen scale, to weigh my food before eating, so I have a better idea of how big some of my meal portions are, especially meats, to get an most accurate picture of how many calories I've consuming a day.

Do any of you use kitchen scales for weight loss purposes? And if so, what are some brands/models you've had good experiences with?

Feel free to "weigh in" with your answers! I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions!
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Replies

  • jljshoe1979
    jljshoe1979 Posts: 325 Member
    I do, especially with things that I tend to go overboard on (i.e. potato chips). I use the Biggest Loser scale (bought in on Amazon, forgot how much I paid).
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
    I have the Eat Smart Precision scale. I got it on Amazon for $25. I think it is awesome. I found that I was overestimating how many calories I was eating so since I got the scale, I eat more food. Turns out the amount of cheese I thought was one serving was actually closer to half a serving. Same thing with chicken.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Yep!! Still use it. It's very eye opening as to how much you really are consuming.
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    I absolutely do!!
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    everything.
  • efirkey
    efirkey Posts: 298 Member
    I measure most of my food. You can get an inexpensive scale at walmart that works perfectly fine.
  • bubbleskiwi
    bubbleskiwi Posts: 148 Member
    definitely do!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    I have the same one Cristina has. I love it. It's really helpful for meat, cheese, things that are impossible to measure by volume.

    Even things you can place in cups or tablespoons are often way more than you think.

    Good $25 investment on Amazon..
  • Sunny____
    Sunny____ Posts: 214
    I used to bc my trainer recommended it, but to be honest, I think I am too lazy to consistently use it. It takes time. I use the hand method. . .

    meat should be the size of your closed fist

    carb should be the size of your palm

    veggies should be the size of your entire open hand.

    (if it is a green veggie, I say unlimited) I use it as a filler if I'm still hungry.
  • bananabananabanana
    bananabananabanana Posts: 6
    I weigh EVERYTHING on my scales!
    Unfortunately they've just died... I don't know whether that is down to overuse or the fact that my hubby might have got water in the electrics :( So I'm back to using my old analogue ones for now.
    Can't remember the brand sorry, not a well known one anyway.
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    It is worth the investment - You will be amazed to learn how off your eyeball portions are! It is very useful when you buy snacks etc in bulk and need to measure out individual portions. Do you eat dry cereal - eyeopener! Peanut butter - what really is 2 tbs? Not much! Protein powder - is that scoop really a serving? How much pizza? Dry pasta ? I can go on and on! Take out portions? Homemade breads -how much is a slice?

    Eventually yo will get better at eyeballing some foods but without seeing what real portions of foods are you will more than likly way overestimate what you eat.
  • fvolley
    fvolley Posts: 124
    I LOVE weighing my food!

    I bought the cheapest food scale at walmart and I love it. A few things I couldn't believe I was over-estimating:

    - cereal
    - any type of snack food like potato chips
    - my frozen fruit for my smoothies
    - and meat portions

    Since having my scale I actually love taking the time to measure and figure out what I am putting into my body. Sometimes too I will start measuring out something bad for me and by the time I have gone to all the trouble of dumping it out and figuring out the calories I realize it isn't worth it LOL.
  • jenj1313
    jenj1313 Posts: 898 Member
    I have one and I use it daily.
    I'd highly recommend it. Otherwise, you're just guessing at portions and, therefore, calories!
  • RandiLandCHANGED
    RandiLandCHANGED Posts: 630 Member
    I weigh everything at home. I don't go to restaurants often but when I do I look up the nutritional info or log slightly over the estimate of something similar.
  • WDEvy
    WDEvy Posts: 814 Member
    I do.
  • tatd_820
    tatd_820 Posts: 573 Member
    I bought a $5 scale from Target and LOVE it. I started using it about 2 months ago because I wanted to be more accurate instead of guessing. Takes a little bit more time but at least I know that I am logging accurately! GET YOU ONE!
  • JadedEyez4
    JadedEyez4 Posts: 3
    Yes I weigh all servings of everything. At my local Wal-Mart they have the biggest loser scale there that is quite inexpensive. :smile:
  • ♥Amy♥
    ♥Amy♥ Posts: 714 Member
    I have a cheap one from WalMart (like $10). One of my best investments! I weigh everything. Everyday. ALL.THE.TIME. It's easy to do and makes things so accurate.
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    I got a small, nice-looking digital scale at the hardware store for 10$. It has different units and settings available. It sits on my counter and YES, I weigh pretty much every darn thing that goes in my mouth. Getting accurate measurements on my portions was a real eye-opener!!! Use weights rather than volumes whenever possible, except for true liquids (milk, etc.)
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    I have the Eat Smart Precision scale. I got it on Amazon for $25. I think it is awesome. I found that I was overestimating how many calories I was eating so since I got the scale, I eat more food. Turns out the amount of cheese I thought was one serving was actually closer to half a serving. Same thing with chicken.

    ^^ THIS I have this one and love it!!! I was over estimating meat and cheese portions BIG TIME before I got the scale. Worth the investment
  • scjl132
    scjl132 Posts: 85 Member
    Yup, it's a cheapy from Wal-Mart. Not only does it help keep from too much but also from too little. Also use measuring spoons.
  • sgrubby
    sgrubby Posts: 103 Member
    I was a chef in my previous career and am pretty good at eyeballing portions but I still use a standard kitchen scale I picked up at a restaurant supply store.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    i think my kitchen scales my break if i stood on them :bigsmile:

    seriously tho i used to weight EVERYTHING but you get to know the amounts really so i just weight the meat now and help yourself to the veggies! :wink:
  • chessiesmom
    chessiesmom Posts: 5 Member
    Yes, I use my "Biggest Loser" scale to measure out snack portions, and leave them on my pantry shelf. That way it's easy and quick to grab a healthy snack.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    I weigh everything I eat and measure all the liquids. Apart from water I guess that.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    I have two of them now, and I say, if you have weight to lose, you really need it because it can make all the difference in the world.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    Its probably the most important tool besides MFP to lose weight.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    How do you fill in your diary without knowing how much of anything you're eating?
  • yamsteroo
    yamsteroo Posts: 480 Member
    I weigh the lot! I was shocked at how much I was overestimating a portion of cereal or a piece of cheese.

    Mine are just regular digital scales, nothing fancy but they live on the counter top now so I've no excuse not to do it.

    It's a source of endless amusement to my husband - he caught me weighing lettuce earlier :)
  • supermodelchic
    supermodelchic Posts: 550 Member
    I have a nice stainless steel kind with a bowl on top for easy cleaning, bought at Target for 17.99. Although now I can pretty much measure by eye...

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