Food Scale

Topher1978 · December 2012

Do you use one? Which ones are the better ones? I guess my meat most of the time. Also, I am guessing that the calorie counter here counts the meat before being cooked (as is required for restaurants and such)? I think that I will need to start doing this as soon as I can afford a scale. I wish to be as accurate as possible. I do not fully trust my estimation...

cmriverside · December 2012

You can buy one on Amazon for $25....I"m sure they have them at Target and other department stores.

Just get one big enough to hold a plate or bowl, makes it much easier to measure ingredients.

It makes a huge difference. I've used mine for five years..I have this one.

http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356283703&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+food+scale

Maaarkk · December 2012

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221068329705?var=520110003285&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

I use that. Perfect for getting macro's exact.

Topher1978 · December 2012

Thanks! So, I need to weight my meat before I cook it, right? When I went to culinary school, that is what I was told we are supposed to do.

MrsBikiniBound · December 2012

I use the biggest loser brand weight scale- it's made a huge difference. I got it at Walmart for 24 dollars but you can get it online or at bed bah and beyond for cheaper. I measure my meat before I cook it. Wen I buy I need package of chicken I just measure according and cut portions ahead of time for quick cooking later

cmriverside · December 2012

Thanks! So, I need to weight my meat before I cook it, right? When I went to culinary school, that is what I was told we are supposed to do.

Some meats have lots of fat that is removed during most cooking methods, so those really make a difference. Some meats like boneless skinless chicken breasts lose mostly water weight by cooking.

Then there is the problem of what to do when it is a large roasted meat item, say a rib roast, or turkey. In those cases I would weigh the portion after cooking, and I know my calorie estimation may be way off. In the database there are entries for cooked and raw. So you could pick and choose....which I sometimes do. Most of the time I guesstimate on roasts or whole poultry.

Topher1978 · December 2012

I use the biggest loser brand weight scale- it's made a huge difference. I got it at Walmart for 24 dollars but you can get it online or at bed bah and beyond for cheaper. I measure my meat before I cook it. Wen I buy I need package of chicken I just measure according and cut portions ahead of time for quick cooking later

That is a great idea!

fishermanmatt · December 2012

Here's the one I use. I like that the display can be pulled away so that large items (large a baking sheet) can be weighed.

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B000WJMTNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356294383&sr=8-1&keywords=oxo+food+scale

Stdavis53 · December 2012

I got this one as a gift and I absolutely love it. The reviews aren't that great, but they are by people who got lemon machines, nothing to do with the scale.,

http://www.target.com/p/taylor-digital-black-glass-food-scale/-/A-13370919#guest-reviews

Highly recommend getting one. I found quite a few options at my local Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Makes measuring your meats a lot lot easier. After using it I realized I was overestimating my meat size and adding too many calories because of it.

rm7161 · December 2012

I bought a Sohnle from Amazon and love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Soehnle-Digital-Kitchen-Scale-Silver/dp/B000VRLQFA

SONIA820 · December 2012

I bought an 18.00 one from Walmart and I love it!

JustANumber85 · December 2012

I have one similar to this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Premium-KitchenWorthy-Kitchen-Scale/21027615

denezy · December 2012

I got one at a $10 gift exchange last night. Was pretty stoked... it is Starfrit brand, so probably from Zellers (Canada) or Target?

lioness0806 · December 2012

So, heres a question. When you use the scale with a dish - do you weigh the dish first then subtract whatever that weight is from the food?
Don't mean to sound ignorant, but if I get myself one I want to be as accurate as possible.

rosieg1979 · December 2012

Most scales let you zero the display ie add plate/bowl, hit the zero button and it zeros the weight, if you are using multiple ingredients you should be able to zero the scale after each ingredient, this saves too many complex calculations.

lioness0806 · December 2012

Thank you! Now I can make informed decision on what I need.

issyfit · December 2012

I asked Santa for a digital one. I've been using a 30 yr old postage scale.

vjohn04 · December 2012

I bought a digital one from Walmart. It works.

watfordjc · December 2012

I have some food scales, but I don't use them.

Since only I eat my food, I usually look up the mass of something per tablespoon and then multiply/divide to get the "single serving" weight on the nutrition info panel. Once the container is empty, I go back and see if I've been under-/over-estimating the serving sizes or if it is close enough.

Cartons of juice/milk, I make a food note about when I opened them. I hold it up to the light and use my finger to see how full it is, and to see if I've drunk approximately a quarter/fifth of the bottle (serving size). After 4/5 days, the irregularities even out as I finish off the bottle.

However, I can't cook (medical issue) so do not have as much use for kitchen scales. I am thinking of taking my scales to the parents for Christmas dinner although if I forget it won't be an issue - I know how big a King Edward (or Maris Piper) is on average, I know the approximate size of a turkey breast steak, cranberry sauce is usually served with a teaspoon, vegetables I can guestimate, and most people these days use a measuring jug with markings on to make gravy. Homemade Christmas pudding? I'm thinking assume it is the richest one M&S do.

So, heres a question. When you use the scale with a dish - do you weigh the dish first then subtract whatever that weight is from the food?
Don't mean to sound ignorant, but if I get myself one I want to be as accurate as possible.

Depending on the description of the scales, it is called a tare button/function. Some advertisers use long-winded "features" to describe items, and only use the common terms in the product specification table (which is also where max weight, unit increments, and accuracy will be hidden if they claim "Max Weight - It can weigh a bowling ball!)

Turn on scales, wait for zero, put on plate, press tare, add a food, record weight, press tare, add another food, record weight, press tare, etc.

Katla49 · December 2012

You can buy one on Amazon for $25....I"m sure they have them at Target and other department stores.

Just get one big enough to hold a plate or bowl, makes it much easier to measure ingredients.

It makes a huge difference. I've used mine for five years..I have this one.

http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Kitchen-Silver/dp/B001N07KUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356283703&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+food+scale

We have the same one and it is easy to use. I put a small plate on it, zero the scale, and then weigh my food. Easy, and gives me portion information I never knew before. It helps with success at weight loss.

ldrosophila · December 2012

Love my digital scale bought it from Bed, Bath & Beyon like 10years ago. Still haven replaced the battery. I also have a measuring cup scale (it's so so), a small gram scale for going out (hope they never think its paraphenalia), and a cheap postal type scale just in case. Get the scale and use it. You'll be in love like the rest of us.

totallyforgiven · December 2012

I weigh my food, after it is cooked. Like others have mentioned, some foods have lots of fat, that is cooked away or comes out during cooking. The main thing is to do it the same way everytime.

totallyforgiven · December 2012

You can also put your plate/bowl/dish on before you turn scales on, then when you turn scales on, it will already be zero'd out. Then weigh your food.

angelique_redhead · December 2012

Harbor Freight has a 1000 gram one on for sale. I use the second one though from Harbor Freight. It's 5000 grams and calculates in grams, ounces, and pounds. It also zeros out the weight of the plate if you hit the on button after you get the plate set on it. http://www.harborfreight.com/# There is a coupon for the 1000 gram scale to cost $9.99.
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-scale-95364.html This is the second scale I use. It's great!

keem88 · December 2012

i don't weigh meat since i don't eat it, but i use it for everything else. i got it at bed bath and beyond, sharper imagine brand digital scale (i have a hard time reading the dial numbers). i works pretty well for me, i actually now know how much an ounce of cheese looks like or 2 ounces of pasta, it really comes in handy

lovinmyselfagain · December 2012

You can weigh items raw or cooked, but the calculations are different , as well as the serving size. Ex. 4oz of raw chicken=3oz of cooked chicken or 16oz of raw ground beef=12oz cooked ground beef. Most food scales come with a book that tell you the calculations for various foods, raw and cooked, etc. I weigh and measure everything. My food scale has been one of my biggest assets on this weight loss journey.