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Weighing meat/fish

vickymva
vickymva Posts: 46 Member
edited February 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

When I cook for my family I usually cook enough for 2 nights.

This means that my meat is not cooked separately and I can only weigh my portions after it is cooked and I serve myself.

I noticed that for example the fish I did the other night shrunk considerably so the end result would have weight much less that the raw product.

Is this going to affect my calorie count accuracy?

I want to be as accurate as possible so any info will be appreciated.

Also still new at this and welcome any friend request.

Thanks.

Replies

  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    I hear there are cooked entries in the database that you could use, though I tend to weigh mine raw (live alone, cook for one). The writer of this useful guide uses the cooked entries due to cooking for a family. You may be able to find tips on selecting the right cooked entries here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
  • vickymva
    vickymva Posts: 46 Member
    Thanks.:-)
  • eomuno215in541
    eomuno215in541 Posts: 201 Member
    Use the database. It has raw and cooked entries for a lot of foods. I'm guessing it's just water that cooks out of fish, so probably doesnt affect calories a lot.

    At 1400 cals you can be off by a few (not alot)

    Accuracy is key, but I eyeball a lot. You can estimate 2 oz of meat vs 4, etc. I don't own a scale ...yet

    Ur doing great so far and want to do ur best. That's the best first step.
  • heybebe88
    heybebe88 Posts: 26 Member
    It would be more work, but if you realllllyyy wanted to, you could

    Weigh the total raw amount, cook, then weigh the total cooked amount - this will give you a raw/cooked weight ratio
    Weigh your cooked portion
    Multiply by the raw/cooked ratio to get your raw weight.
  • NicoleLFifield
    NicoleLFifield Posts: 30
    I found that I have not been cooking any large chunks of meat and I weight each piece before cooking, that way I know what I am getting and the family just has to eat more than one piece if they want more than 4oz....That way I can cook the same meal for everyone.
  • JG762
    JG762 Posts: 571 Member
    Why is it an issue to weigh the portions after they're cooked?
    I usually just weigh the serving as it comes out of the oven or off of the stove, is this a problem???
  • NicoleLFifield
    NicoleLFifield Posts: 30
    foods can lose quite a bit of their water weight in cooking, so to get an accurate calorie count, it is best to weigh them raw. I did a bit of questioning myself on this subject.
This discussion has been closed.

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