Is there an alternative for food scale?
supah11
Posts: 71 Member
Okay I'm new to this food scale so sorry for my stupid question but...is it really necessary to have a food scale in order to measure my food? Food scales here are hella expensive so are there any alternatives that I can use? Like those on the internet with the palm sized food etc?
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Not really... everyone's palm sizes are different, serving sizes aren't always exact, etc.
Where are you that food scales are "hella expensive"?0 -
Got mine at Walmart. $150
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I think it will depend on the person but for me, yes, it was completely necessary. I got mine on Amazon for less than $20...I don't call that hella expensive.0
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I got my food scale at Bed Bath and Beyond on clearance and it was $10... Look around and you might find a deal!0
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catrunsintowindow wrote: »Not really... everyone's palm sizes are different, serving sizes aren't always exact, etc.
Where are you that food scales are "hella expensive"?
Well food scales aren't really that common here so they're really expensive here. In the phil.0 -
A food scale is the most accurate way to know how many calories you are eating, and it makes logging on MFP a heck of a lot easier. But, sure, you can do it without a food scale. Your next option would be measuring cups and learning how to estimate portion sizes. Exactly like what you said, a serving of meat would be about the size of a deck of cards, an ounce of cheese would be the size of a die (or is it two dice, I never remember)
It will take some practice, but it can be done.0 -
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A quick google search shows food scales can be ordered (at least in the US) for as little as $8.99. Measuring cups would be more accurate than a palm estimate, but I would say just spend the $10-20 on a scale and it will make your life infinitely easier. Sorry if you are not in the US and this comment doesn't apply.0
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order it on line and have it shipped. You can find one on Amazon for cheap, or ebay...0
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If by "the phil" you mean Philadelphia, then they have access to amazon.com. In addition, a quick google search resulted in no less then 3 walmarts...catrunsintowindow wrote: »Not really... everyone's palm sizes are different, serving sizes aren't always exact, etc.
Where are you that food scales are "hella expensive"?
Well food scales aren't really that common here so they're really expensive here. In the phil.
If however you mean the Philippines, Amazon should still ship there. Even if the shipping is expensive, the scale is like a 20 dollar item, and one will last you at least a decade if you take care of it.
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I'm guessing she means the Philippines
If by "the phil" you mean Philadelphia, then they have access to amazon.com. In addition, a quick google search resulted in no less then 3 walmarts...catrunsintowindow wrote: »Not really... everyone's palm sizes are different, serving sizes aren't always exact, etc.
Where are you that food scales are "hella expensive"?
Well food scales aren't really that common here so they're really expensive here. In the phil.0 -
I assume you mean The Philippines? Amazon.com ships there, although you'd probably have to pay and extra $10-$15 in shipping. Which, for a $10 scale, is still not that expensive.0
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Necessary? No. But they're the most accurate - provided, of course, the scale actually works properly.
One alternative is measuring cups and the like, but those aren't as accurate as a scale. That said, when I was tracking food, I only used measuring cups and spoons. If my weight didn't come off like I anticipated, I just compensated with just how full the cup was. It worked fine for me. YMMV.
Otherwise, as MrM said, you're just estimating and guessing.0 -
I use measuring cups and estimates for my food as I haven't felt like investing in a food scale. I'm down 43 pounds from my highest weight 256-213. Food scales are the most accurate but they aren't required. If you're not seeing any progress then I'd worry about getting one but if you're losing weight consistently then obviously you're doing something right.0
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Laurend224 wrote: »A food scale is the most accurate way to know how many calories you are eating, and it makes logging on MFP a heck of a lot easier. But, sure, you can do it without a food scale. Your next option would be measuring cups and learning how to estimate portion sizes. Exactly like what you said, a serving of meat would be about the size of a deck of cards, an ounce of cheese would be the size of a die (or is it two dice, I never remember)
It will take some practice, but it can be done.
Wow, i guess that's too manual and too much effort
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I've never had one and lost 100lbs just by over estimating my food and under estimating my exercise.0
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Yea I've seen that. Which made me think to get a food scale asap heehee. Thank you
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Food scales are educational more than necessary. I know when I got mine and started using it, I was pretty surprised to see how badly I'd been underestimating some foods.
On the other hand, what's important isn't the absolute number so much as the directional number. Let's say you're losing weight eating what you think is 1300 calories but is actually 1500 calories, because of inaccurate measurement. All that means is that your true TDEE is a couple hundred higher than you think it is. But you're still losing weight.
Lots of people can do that just fine for a while, and then they decide to get a food scale when it stops working. The reason is, let's say in my above example you're merrily losing weight at what-you-think-is-1300 calories, and then your TDEE drops (as it tends to do as you get smaller), maybe you're reluctant to drop to 1200 or 1100 calories because that sounds dangerously low. But in reality, you were eating 1500 calories, and dropping to 1400 or 1300 would be okay. See what I mean?
Can you order a food scale from Amazon and just get it shipped to the Philippines?0 -
disneygirl626 wrote: »I use measuring cups and estimates for my food as I haven't felt like investing in a food scale. I'm down 43 pounds from my highest weight 256-213. Food scales are the most accurate but they aren't required. If you're not seeing any progress then I'd worry about getting one but if you're losing weight consistently then obviously you're doing something right.
Ooh that's good too. I'll try measuring cups first I guess since they're the easiest and cheapest to buy
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If by "the phil" you mean Philadelphia, then they have access to amazon.com. In addition, a quick google search resulted in no less then 3 walmarts...catrunsintowindow wrote: »Not really... everyone's palm sizes are different, serving sizes aren't always exact, etc.
Where are you that food scales are "hella expensive"?
Well food scales aren't really that common here so they're really expensive here. In the phil.
That's much more likely to be the Philippines.
For the OP - I'd use measuring cups/spoons as much as you can. If items come pre-weighed (like 1kg of meat), you can cut them into reasonably sized pieces and divide your starting weight by the number of portions (8 portions means 125g of meat per portion).
I'd encourage you to be aware that you have some error in your measurements, especially if your weight loss is faster or slower than you prefer.
A service like Borderlynx or Johnny Air might be useful to you, but international shipping is a significant expense.0 -
I have one, but I never use it. Accuracy is overrated. I'll leave that to the weight loss hobbyists. I have no desire to weigh food for the rest of my life, so I figure it's better if I don't do it while I'm losing weight.
But that being said, if cost is a concern, it is simple enough to make a balance scale. You would just need to find some objects that you know the weight of to balance the other side of the scale.0 -
disneygirl626 wrote: »I use measuring cups and estimates for my food as I haven't felt like investing in a food scale. I'm down 43 pounds from my highest weight 256-213. Food scales are the most accurate but they aren't required. If you're not seeing any progress then I'd worry about getting one but if you're losing weight consistently then obviously you're doing something right.
Ooh that's good too. I'll try measuring cups first I guess since they're the easiest and cheapest to buy
FYI, measuring instead of weighing can still lead to being off on solid foods by 10-35%, depending on what it is your are weighing/measuring.0 -
Food scales are educational more than necessary. I know when I got mine and started using it, I was pretty surprised to see how badly I'd been underestimating some foods.
On the other hand, what's important isn't the absolute number so much as the directional number. Let's say you're losing weight eating what you think is 1300 calories but is actually 1500 calories, because of inaccurate measurement. All that means is that your true TDEE is a couple hundred higher than you think it is. But you're still losing weight.
Lots of people can do that just fine for a while, and then they decide to get a food scale when it stops working. The reason is, let's say in my above example you're merrily losing weight at what-you-think-is-1300 calories, and then your TDEE drops (as it tends to do as you get smaller), maybe you're reluctant to drop to 1200 or 1100 calories because that sounds dangerously low. But in reality, you were eating 1500 calories, and dropping to 1400 or 1300 would be okay. See what I mean?
Can you order a food scale from Amazon and just get it shipped to the Philippines?
Oooh, I get you. I see, well I think I'll go search for a food scale here first. If there's none or if they're really overpriced then I'll just order online I guess. Its just that I feel jealous on some people who doesn't use food scales but still lose weight. Ty!
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Food scales are educational more than necessary. I know when I got mine and started using it, I was pretty surprised to see how badly I'd been underestimating some foods.
On the other hand, what's important isn't the absolute number so much as the directional number. Let's say you're losing weight eating what you think is 1300 calories but is actually 1500 calories, because of inaccurate measurement. All that means is that your true TDEE is a couple hundred higher than you think it is. But you're still losing weight.
Lots of people can do that just fine for a while, and then they decide to get a food scale when it stops working. The reason is, let's say in my above example you're merrily losing weight at what-you-think-is-1300 calories, and then your TDEE drops (as it tends to do as you get smaller), maybe you're reluctant to drop to 1200 or 1100 calories because that sounds dangerously low. But in reality, you were eating 1500 calories, and dropping to 1400 or 1300 would be okay. See what I mean?
Can you order a food scale from Amazon and just get it shipped to the Philippines?
Oooh, I get you. I see, well I think I'll go search for a food scale here first. If there's none or if they're really overpriced then I'll just order online I guess. Its just that I feel jealous on some people who doesn't use food scales but still lose weight. Ty!
Once you use one for a few months you may be able to better estimate portion sizes and wont have to use the scale forever.0
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