Weighing vs measuring food
mulderpf
Posts: 209 Member
Why are people so stubborn?
Every day on here, there's someone complaining that they aren't losing weight. Immediately the first thing I do, is check their diaries - and time and time again it becomes clear - they are counting the calories, but in imprecise measures. Cups, slices, "1 small fruit", "1 small onion". When anyone says anything, people tend to become quite defensive and again today, it was said that "a cup" is a standard measure...well...
A cup of grated cheese has a very different weight to a cup of finely grated cheese. Measuring 1/3 cup of cheese leaves you open for HUGE mistakes. Every 20g difference means a 100 calorie difference!
I tried this today with an onion - I took what I considered to be a large onion. I put that into MFP - 63 calories. I then peeled and chopped the onion and it fit easily into my measuring cup - MFP calories: 67. Cool. But then I weighed the chopped onion and it was 283g - 119 calories - almost double the initial estimate based on the description of a large onion!
Then I decided to try it with rice. I often see fractions thrown about, so I measured half a cup of brown rice. I filled it exactly to the 125ml line of my measuring cup - 342 calories according to MFP if I use the measure of "half a cup". But I weighed it at the same time and it was actually 110g - that's 407 calories. Almost 60 calories more!
Did the same with peanuts (luckily the result was the other way around for me - and then I ended up eating them all too!). Counted 20 peanuts (MFP = 117 calories), weighed them, 12g = 70 calories.
What I'm getting at is that these "small" things which seem insignificant and probably won't make a difference may make a huge difference at the end of the day. In just four foods I tried, the difference was around the 260 calorie mark - for many people, the difference between maintenance and losing weight. (May I also add - for those who say, "but I've always done it like this and lost weight" - as you start off, these calories are insignificant in the bigger picture, but as you lose weight, the calories become a larger and larger proportion of your diet and that's when it becomes more important to be accurate).
I use the "imperfect" measures for the times where I'm out and I simply don't have my scale close to me. Otherwise EVERYTHING is weighed out - and it's worked without a hitch.
"Roughly" weighing things (or simply not adding things because they are healthy - e.g. tomatoes) could make huge differences. If it passes your lips and it has any type of calorie content, LOG IT ACCURATELY!!! Only then can you definitely rule out diet...
Every day on here, there's someone complaining that they aren't losing weight. Immediately the first thing I do, is check their diaries - and time and time again it becomes clear - they are counting the calories, but in imprecise measures. Cups, slices, "1 small fruit", "1 small onion". When anyone says anything, people tend to become quite defensive and again today, it was said that "a cup" is a standard measure...well...
A cup of grated cheese has a very different weight to a cup of finely grated cheese. Measuring 1/3 cup of cheese leaves you open for HUGE mistakes. Every 20g difference means a 100 calorie difference!
I tried this today with an onion - I took what I considered to be a large onion. I put that into MFP - 63 calories. I then peeled and chopped the onion and it fit easily into my measuring cup - MFP calories: 67. Cool. But then I weighed the chopped onion and it was 283g - 119 calories - almost double the initial estimate based on the description of a large onion!
Then I decided to try it with rice. I often see fractions thrown about, so I measured half a cup of brown rice. I filled it exactly to the 125ml line of my measuring cup - 342 calories according to MFP if I use the measure of "half a cup". But I weighed it at the same time and it was actually 110g - that's 407 calories. Almost 60 calories more!
Did the same with peanuts (luckily the result was the other way around for me - and then I ended up eating them all too!). Counted 20 peanuts (MFP = 117 calories), weighed them, 12g = 70 calories.
What I'm getting at is that these "small" things which seem insignificant and probably won't make a difference may make a huge difference at the end of the day. In just four foods I tried, the difference was around the 260 calorie mark - for many people, the difference between maintenance and losing weight. (May I also add - for those who say, "but I've always done it like this and lost weight" - as you start off, these calories are insignificant in the bigger picture, but as you lose weight, the calories become a larger and larger proportion of your diet and that's when it becomes more important to be accurate).
I use the "imperfect" measures for the times where I'm out and I simply don't have my scale close to me. Otherwise EVERYTHING is weighed out - and it's worked without a hitch.
"Roughly" weighing things (or simply not adding things because they are healthy - e.g. tomatoes) could make huge differences. If it passes your lips and it has any type of calorie content, LOG IT ACCURATELY!!! Only then can you definitely rule out diet...
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Replies
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Weigh to go. Great post.0
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I have an awesome digital food scale that I use all the time. If a food is solid, I weigh it. If it's liquid, I measure it.
I don't carry it around with me though. I only use it at home.
Another food that is so important to weight vs measure is cereal.0 -
Great post. I learned this lesson when I bought a food scale.
I still get a little teary-eyed when I weigh out 32g of peanut butter, and remember what I used to call 2 tablespoons.0 -
I
my food scale. 0 -
I agree that sloppy measuring stalls progress. But, I think you are comparing weight vs. volume. If I understand your post, you can't compare the two when weighing solid food. Also, many of the entries in the food database are added by members and can vary significantly. Sometimes I double check with CalorieKing.com.0
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Food scales are a must
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This makes a lot of sense and I'm definitely going to try this to see if my calculations have been wrong.
That being said, the reality is that most people have to estimate their measurements, and don't always have access to a measuring cup or a scale. Yes, when we're home and can do it, that's great, but out and about in life, it is a little unrealistic.0 -
i agree! i my food scale, though im looking to get a better quality one.
ive also found that the kids cereal lasts longer when i weigh out servings instead of just pouring it into the bowl, or using a measuring cup. yay for saving money.0 -
Thank you for the info!! I really needed that. I also go back and forth on which is better. Now I know.0
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I agree 100%! Whenever I am home, I use my food scale religiously. I love when the nutrition labels give both measurements (i.e. 2 tbsp or 32g = 190 calories on my almond butter label) and when it does, i will always use the weight measurement. People can "pack" a lot more food into a measuring cup and still say they ate the correct portion. Way too much room for error.0
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Weigh to go. Great post.
I see what you did there.0 -
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Amen!! It was quite a shock the first time I weighed 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats and found that I was eating 191 calories rather than the 150 calories I thought! Always, always, always use weight rather than volume if you possibly can is my motto.0
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Totally agree! Those little things can add up quick, especially with calorie dense foods like cheese, nuts, etc. It can definitely be the difference between being in a deficit, and not! When people get stubborn about things like that and they aren't willing to change, chances are they won't be seeing a change either.0
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thanks for sharing, my food scale has just been ordered!0
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I should've just posted that rather than weigh stuff and eating the peanuts I weighed!!! 0 -
One groin protection cup for some guys does not equal the same cup for others....so I know what you mean!0
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Why are people so stubborn?
Every day on here, there's someone complaining that they aren't losing weight. Immediately the first thing I do, is check their diaries - and time and time again it becomes clear - they are counting the calories, but in imprecise measures. Cups, slices, "1 small fruit", "1 small onion". When anyone says anything, people tend to become quite defensive and again today, it was said that "a cup" is a standard measure...well...
A cup of grated cheese has a very different weight to a cup of finely grated cheese. Measuring 1/3 cup of cheese leaves you open for HUGE mistakes. Every 20g difference means a 100 calorie difference!
I tried this today with an onion - I took what I considered to be a large onion. I put that into MFP - 63 calories. I then peeled and chopped the onion and it fit easily into my measuring cup - MFP calories: 67. Cool. But then I weighed the chopped onion and it was 283g - 119 calories - almost double the initial estimate based on the description of a large onion!
Then I decided to try it with rice. I often see fractions thrown about, so I measured half a cup of brown rice. I filled it exactly to the 125ml line of my measuring cup - 342 calories according to MFP if I use the measure of "half a cup". But I weighed it at the same time and it was actually 110g - that's 407 calories. Almost 60 calories more!
Did the same with peanuts (luckily the result was the other way around for me - and then I ended up eating them all too!). Counted 20 peanuts (MFP = 117 calories), weighed them, 12g = 70 calories.
What I'm getting at is that these "small" things which seem insignificant and probably won't make a difference may make a huge difference at the end of the day. In just four foods I tried, the difference was around the 260 calorie mark - for many people, the difference between maintenance and losing weight. (May I also add - for those who say, "but I've always done it like this and lost weight" - as you start off, these calories are insignificant in the bigger picture, but as you lose weight, the calories become a larger and larger proportion of your diet and that's when it becomes more important to be accurate).
I use the "imperfect" measures for the times where I'm out and I simply don't have my scale close to me. Otherwise EVERYTHING is weighed out - and it's worked without a hitch.
"Roughly" weighing things (or simply not adding things because they are healthy - e.g. tomatoes) could make huge differences. If it passes your lips and it has any type of calorie content, LOG IT ACCURATELY!!! Only then can you definitely rule out diet...
Excellent posting and I couldn't agree more!
I would also like to say that if anybody is going to use cups to measure foods, they have to make the effort, put the exact amount of food in that they wish and then pour it back out to use, eat or cook it. Exactly the same amount of effort is used when using scales, the difference is however, that the scales are tons more accurate. May as well use that effort for the scales if you ask me.0 -
I'm guilty of this and I really should order a better scale ( have a non-digital one now). I looked them up the other day and they really aren't that pricey. Just need to get around to buying one.0
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I am still considering a food scale, but I have had success in using measuring cups simply by rounding up instead of down. (or slightly over-estimating) It is pretty low on my priorities list. But at the same time, I believe this is a very valid point. I think there are people who don't stop to consider the issue. I also use Google a lot to convert ounces to grams because the food I buy is measured in ounces, but it's mostly in grams in the database.0
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I should've just posted that rather than weigh stuff and eating the peanuts I weighed!!!
So this video shows that people don't measure accurately. That doesn't surprise me. I do a lot of baking and candy-making. A tiny amount of too much flour can ruin the texture of a cookie.0 -
I agree 100%! Whenever I am home, I use my food scale religiously. I love when the nutrition labels give both measurements (i.e. 2 tbsp or 32g = 190 calories on my almond butter label) and when it does, i will always use the weight measurement. People can "pack" a lot more food into a measuring cup and still say they ate the correct portion. Way too much room for error.
See, and ^^^ THIS ^^^ is what I call cheating! Some people think that cheating is eating a cookie or a slice of pizza! NO!!! Smashing your pasta to make more fit in the measuring cup is cheating!
/end rant0 -
You raise some very valid and interesting points which I am guilty of. I was amazed to read that onions have calories - a new and interesting fact for the day. I kind of disregard onion as a 'nothing' food and never really thought about their calorie content. Thanks for posting.I tried this today with an onion - I took what I considered to be a large onion. I put that into MFP - 63 calories. I then peeled and chopped the onion and it fit easily into my measuring cup - MFP calories: 67. Cool. But then I weighed the chopped onion and it was 283g - 119 calories - almost double the initial estimate based on the description of a large onion!0 -
Good post. I've started weighing my food more lately. Hopefully it will help me be more accountable and get the scale moving a little faster.0
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So are you an optimist or pessimist: half a cup full or a half a cup empty?One groin protection cup for some guys does not equal the same cup for others....so I know what you mean!0 -
So are you an optimist or pessimist: half a cup full or a half a cup empty?One groin protection cup for some guys does not equal the same cup for others....so I know what you mean!
Depends on how cold it is.0 -
You have a great point about differences in calorie counts. I got a food scale as a gift when I got married. I rarely used it. Since Ive been on MFP, I use it daily. One thing surprising thing I use it for is chips. It will say 13 chips (1oz) is 140 calories. Well, is that medium size chips, broken chips, big chips, imaginary chips, hell I dont know what. But one ounce is always one ounce.0
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Why are people so stubborn?
Every day on here, there's someone complaining that they aren't losing weight. Immediately the first thing I do, is check their diaries - and time and time again it becomes clear - they are counting the calories, but in imprecise measures. Cups, slices, "1 small fruit", "1 small onion". When anyone says anything, people tend to become quite defensive and again today, it was said that "a cup" is a standard measure...well...
A cup of grated cheese has a very different weight to a cup of finely grated cheese. Measuring 1/3 cup of cheese leaves you open for HUGE mistakes. Every 20g difference means a 100 calorie difference!
I tried this today with an onion - I took what I considered to be a large onion. I put that into MFP - 63 calories. I then peeled and chopped the onion and it fit easily into my measuring cup - MFP calories: 67. Cool. But then I weighed the chopped onion and it was 283g - 119 calories - almost double the initial estimate based on the description of a large onion!
Then I decided to try it with rice. I often see fractions thrown about, so I measured half a cup of brown rice. I filled it exactly to the 125ml line of my measuring cup - 342 calories according to MFP if I use the measure of "half a cup". But I weighed it at the same time and it was actually 110g - that's 407 calories. Almost 60 calories more!
Did the same with peanuts (luckily the result was the other way around for me - and then I ended up eating them all too!). Counted 20 peanuts (MFP = 117 calories), weighed them, 12g = 70 calories.
What I'm getting at is that these "small" things which seem insignificant and probably won't make a difference may make a huge difference at the end of the day. In just four foods I tried, the difference was around the 260 calorie mark - for many people, the difference between maintenance and losing weight. (May I also add - for those who say, "but I've always done it like this and lost weight" - as you start off, these calories are insignificant in the bigger picture, but as you lose weight, the calories become a larger and larger proportion of your diet and that's when it becomes more important to be accurate).
I use the "imperfect" measures for the times where I'm out and I simply don't have my scale close to me. Otherwise EVERYTHING is weighed out - and it's worked without a hitch.
"Roughly" weighing things (or simply not adding things because they are healthy - e.g. tomatoes) could make huge differences. If it passes your lips and it has any type of calorie content, LOG IT ACCURATELY!!! Only then can you definitely rule out diet...
Thank you so much for posting this! I always wondered what was more accurate weighing or measuring. I actually just bought a food scale and I will now start weighing my food.
/quote]0 -
Great post! I have a digital scale and I love it. It comes in really handy for everything and what's great is that if you are making a salad or something, you can just put your dish on the scale, weigh the first item, 0 it out (or do the math), weigh the next and the next. Don't have to dirty any measuring implements.
I would like to say that if you don't have a scale, using measuring cups is better than nothing. Make sure that you are using "dry" cups for measuring dry goods and reserve the "liquid" measuring cup for liquids. The dry cups are the ones that are 1/4, 1/2, 1 C, etc. The liquid cup is usually a glass cup that has various measures up the side in ounces or cups. It can help you have more exact measurements when you use the appropriate cup, because with the dry measuring cups you can level the measurement off.0 -
I do use my scale daily, but also use measuring spoons and cups for certain things. This got me curious, so I just compared several items measuring to weighing. Very eye opening! Seems I've been a bit too generous with my hummus portions :ohwell: I found significant calorie discrepancies with my produce vs MFP estimates. I will not log things like "Banana, medium" again (unless I'm not home, of course)! I'm still fairly new at this, so thank you for posting! :drinker:0
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