Do you measure your food? Or just wing it?

Lowell_Zapata · March 2015

Just measured my serving of peanut butter...for the first time.

There's an eye opener! I estimate I've probably been using 2-3x the serving size" of 2 tbsp.

happyvegan410 · March 2015

Hahahah! Oh me of my! Depends on what it is LZ---if I'm eating spinach or lettuce or other veggies, I'll wing it, but if it's fatty or high carbs, I'll measure. You get better at estimating after you measure for a while.

Lowell_Zapata · March 2015

You know, you're right. Once I saw what "2 tbsp" actually looks like, though, it changed the Veganaise and PB and hummus game completely!

beeskneesbabe · March 2015

I measure my most used foods in cups for things like beans, rice ect. Then I measured in grams for potatos and tofu and non leafy veggies. Then I printed out a cheat sheet for the fridge of grams/cups and the calories in each food. I only bother measuring veggies when I want to check on my micronutrients.

leecha2014 · March 2015

Measure

shinrinyokuswife · April 2015

both-similar to happyvegan410. I love peanut butter and hummus but who can actually eat just one serving????? so I measure it those out so I don't "round down" lol

SaradeWaal · April 2015

Oh dear, I always thought tablespoons were pretty big

That might explain why I don't loose weight even though my estimated calories are fine most of the time 8-)

jocelynkyork · April 2015

I just started measuring! I'm on a 1,260 cal base and after starting to measure I'm pretty sure I've been eating 3-4,000 cal/day without regular exercise. Crazy crazy.

Cailia · May 2015

I measure everything by either weight or volume.

juliafromrf · May 2015

I used to measure everything including veggies, half a year ago I eased into maintenance and now I only weigh extremely high-calorie foods or just to get the right portion of something (especially with things that expand when cooked, like rice or lentils - I only cook for myself and do not want any leftovers).

I think for most people who are trying to lose weight, it's extremely important to start counting calories - even if it's only for a week. You just get so many eye-openers and become way more aware of what you're putting in your mouth.

My mother is overweight and she said it's "genetics" and she certainly hadn't been eating more than 2.000 kcal a day until I got her to calorie-count for 2 days and she found out she was consuming 3.500+ kcal ...it really makes a difference.

15off · May 2015

Estimating with anything other than veggies never produces the results we want..I used to guesstimate my calories, kept a "log" in my head...ha! People remember what they WANT to remember and when that granola bar is calling me at 4 pm I forget all about the hummus and carrots I had at 1pm.