Measuring

DietCokeGal
DietCokeGal Posts: 16 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I recently started measuring stuff and tracking it.

For years I have "winged it" (which obviously wasn't working) but after watching a few episodes of Ali Vincent "Living Big" on TV I decided to measure and count every single thing that goes into my mouth. What an eye opener - especially with salad dressing, ketchup and olive oil.

I was underestimating with veggies though so at least I can eat more now. :laugh: I need a food scale because I still have to estimate with meat but I think 1/2 cup of something is close to 3 oz. but I want to *know* now since I am on this kick.

Has anyone else had this revelation? Or something similar?

Oh, and I've lost 7 pounds since I started weighing food.

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Great job! There have been all kinds of studies done that people's estimations of food portions are way off.
  • chelsmccann
    chelsmccann Posts: 37 Member
    i was measuring, and doing REALLY WELL, then i got lazy and stopped. and i am still losing but not as much. i need to start again. i found it SUCH an eye opener, especially with meat. i would weigh a hamburger and realize that i was double what i thought it was (200g+ instead of 100g). i bought a 15$ food scale at my local grocery store, and it hasnt failed me :)
  • sissyr75
    sissyr75 Posts: 24
    I have also started measuring things out. I try to stick to the serving size of something. For example, I eat Light House Italian dressing with Olive Oil by Kraft. I think that the serving size is 2 tablespoons. Now, I know some people will say that I need to be eating something with a Vingerette dressing, but I am already a picky eater, so "dieting" is hard enough, but I only eat Italian dressing, Ranch and Thousand Island. I have not eaten thousand Island in a long time though. I only eat ranch when italian is not available. But the serving size of 2 tbls seems to fit just right for me.

    I try really hard not to have seconds on something and just stick to serving size, but sometimes if the serving size is a cup, but it looks like to much to me, then i switch to maybe 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup. i have a tiny scale and measure meats as best i can. I believe any change that you make in your life is always for the better. i feel that if for now, i cut back and only eat the serving size and not go back for seconds, then its a start. i also try really hard not to eat junk food, but you know what, sometimes i just crave a little bit of chocolate. lol. If say for example I want oreos, i will eat the serving size of 2. yes, it is alot of calories, i think 140 or so maybe more, but i use every inch of will power not to eat more than that. and i seem to find if i indulge once in awhile, i stay better focused.

    most americans are not wealthy and sometimes can't always buy the healthy foods, but i find that what i have done so far has helped. my weight tracking on here has shown that i have only lost 16lbs but i haven't always kept track of my goal on here since i signed up in october. however, i have lost a grand total of 40 lbs(that includes the 16)

    i hope your weight journey continues with great achievment. all of us are here for different reason and our bodies are all different and what might work for one doesn't always work for another. however, it is great motiviation to read what has worked for others.
  • essjay76
    essjay76 Posts: 465 Member
    Yep, I own a scale, and for a while I measured things. I actually started measuring things when I started cooking a while back. Since then I've been pretty good about knowing what correct portion sizes are.

    It's a good tool to use at home, and if you use it regularly and cook regularly, you'll be more accurate estimating food outside of the home. You can't spend life measuring and weighing every single thing that goes in your mouth... that just wouldn't be realistic. But you can come pretty close to it.
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