Food weighing?
nicediva007
Posts: 35 Member
Before visiting these forums, if never given much thought to weighing my food. But lately, I've been *trying* to focus on eating cleaner and considering that I'm actively in weight loss mode and trying to adopt better lifestyle choices, I'm interested to learn more about it.
Can you tell me what kind/brand of food scale is the most economical but yet a great value in terms of accuracy/ease of use? Can I just go get one from Walmart? Is Amazon a better bet? Plz point me in the right direction!
Also, what kinds of foods do you weigh? Everything?
Thanks!
Can you tell me what kind/brand of food scale is the most economical but yet a great value in terms of accuracy/ease of use? Can I just go get one from Walmart? Is Amazon a better bet? Plz point me in the right direction!
Also, what kinds of foods do you weigh? Everything?
Thanks!
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Replies
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Weigh everything.0
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Walmart scles are just fine... Just make sure its digital. They are under $20, its the best money I've spent on anything diet wise.0
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Many good products <$15 regardless of where you buy. I think all online retail offers "most popular" ratings or reviews. I've been using this a couple years, and it's a champ. I use it every day. Multiple times. Very convenient.
ETA: Weigh everything. Too convenient not to.0 -
Weigh everything indeed.
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Got mine from walmart. It has both grams and ounces. Weigh absolutely EVERYTHING. And hers how you do it. Say you are going to have a salad for lunch...put the bowl on the scale...then tare (set the scale to zero) the scale....then put lettuce in the scale until it hits your desired amount....tare the scale again...do this with each ingredient (including dressing...weights on items are much more accurate than measurments....always use the weight). After each item tare your scale....while leaving the bowl (full of already added ingredients) on the scale. This may seem like "common sense" but it took me a long time to learn to use my scale accurately without using a million dishes.
Good luck!0 -
Mine is Ozeri from Amazon. Would never ever be without a food scale in my life again. Good luck!0
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Whichever scale you choose make sure you are able to view the numbers with a large plate or bowl on it. Once you're familiar with conversions you'll love using the scale for cooking too! Saves me so many measuring spoons while baking and preparing meals (I prefer to meal prep 2 weeks at a time). I know BedBathandBeyond has scales where the number part detaches from the actual scale so that if a large dish is on it, you are still able to read the numbers. Example of a detachable display:http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-good-grips-reg-11-lb-food-scale/120843?Keyword=scale
I know its pricey, but one is always able to find good deals online. I am a firm believer in researching for good products and getting what you pay for (without paying full price).
If you find one online you like head over to www.retailmenot.com for some coupon codes.0 -
I use this one and I love it! http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/sharper-image-reg-precision-digital-food-scale/10174905830
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Yes, weigh everything. (except liquids - you have to measure them). My first digital scale was $15 and the only reason I had to replace was because I wore it out. You don't have to spend a lot.0
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I had a 10 dollar one from Amazon that lasted me a year, however I had some minor annoyances with it because if I put a bigger dinner sized plate on it I couldn't hardly read the scale because the plate would be covering the display. So I opted for this one when that one died and I love it because its so easy to read the display because of the curve. http://amazon.com/gp/product/B005WLPVUG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s000
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Yes, weigh everything. (except liquids - you have to measure them). My first digital scale was $15 and the only reason I had to replace was because I wore it out. You don't have to spend a lot.
you are very much able to weigh liquids... the difference you are thinking of is probably volume. With that being said a teaspoon of flour and water will not weight the same -IE; a TS of water is 5ml/g whereas a TS of flour is about 3ml/g (depending on what type of flour it is0 -
Definitely weigh everything including liquids! I love not having so many dishes to do since I got my scale a whe back! It's so much easier and faster.0
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cndkendrick wrote: »Yes, weigh everything. (except liquids - you have to measure them). My first digital scale was $15 and the only reason I had to replace was because I wore it out. You don't have to spend a lot.
you are very much able to weigh liquids... the difference you are thinking of is probably volume. With that being said a teaspoon of flour and water will not weight the same -IE; a TS of water is 5ml/g whereas a TS of flour is about 3ml/g (depending on what type of flour it is
Some scales will weigh liquids that way; some will not. And some that do are not very accurate, depending on the density of the liquid.0 -
cndkendrick wrote: »Yes, weigh everything. (except liquids - you have to measure them). My first digital scale was $15 and the only reason I had to replace was because I wore it out. You don't have to spend a lot.
you are very much able to weigh liquids... the difference you are thinking of is probably volume. With that being said a teaspoon of flour and water will not weight the same -IE; a TS of water is 5ml/g whereas a TS of flour is about 3ml/g (depending on what type of flour it is
Some scales will weigh liquids that way; some will not. And some that do are not very accurate, depending on the density of the liquid.
i weigh liquids too lol
Ones i know that that half cup is xxx grams than i use it all the time for that liquid
So almond milk is 42 grams ( the amount i use in my mixed coffees for example) Than i keep on using that. Handy and indeed saves dishes.
New/strange or rare liquids i use a cup for. But as soon it becomes a regular liquid i weigh them out in the cup and next time i just pore the amount of grams ( that normally the cups hold of that liquid) directly into my recipe/bowl that is on the scale
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You can weigh liquids that have about the same specific gravity as water because one milliliter of water weights almost exactly one gram and the scale is measuring grams but labeling them milliliters. You can weigh broth and milk and things like that and the nutritional information will be close. You can't weigh things like salad dressing or thickened soup because they weigh more than water for the same volume so you can't directly convert between milliliters and grams.cndkendrick wrote: »
you are very much able to weigh liquids... the difference you are thinking of is probably volume. With that being said a teaspoon of flour and water will not weight the same -IE; a TS of water is 5ml/g whereas a TS of flour is about 3ml/g (depending on what type of flour it isYes, weigh everything. (except liquids - you have to measure them). My first digital scale was $15 and the only reason I had to replace was because I wore it out. You don't have to spend a lot.
ETA:
I hadn't thought about doing it that way but that works too.i weigh liquids too lol
Ones i know that that half cup is xxx grams than i use it all the time for that liquid
So almond milk is 42 grams ( the amount i use in my mixed coffees for example) Than i keep on using that. Handy and indeed saves dishes.
New/strange or rare liquids i use a cup for. But as soon it becomes a regular liquid i weigh them out in the cup and next time i just pore the amount of grams ( that normally the cups hold of that liquid) directly into my recipe/bowl that is on the scale0 -
I just feel like the serving size (per the bottle) is 2 tablespoons of salad dressing or 28-30mls or 28-30 grams...If not... the company not to mention the FDA has a lawsuit on their hands.
Regardless... use a tablespoon to weigh your dressing, sno' skin of my nose ;-)0 -
Just because I am familiar with conversions, I am able to tell you that Trish enjoys approximately 3 tablespoons of almond milk in her coffee.0
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Then again... it is always best to double check the serving size, where they recommend in cups, grams, and ounces.0
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cndkendrick wrote: »Whichever scale you choose make sure you are able to view the numbers with a large plate or bowl on it. Once you're familiar with conversions you'll love using the scale for cooking too! Saves me so many measuring spoons while baking and preparing meals (I prefer to meal prep 2 weeks at a time). I know BedBathandBeyond has scales where the number part detaches from the actual scale so that if a large dish is on it, you are still able to read the numbers. Example of a detachable display:http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-good-grips-reg-11-lb-food-scale/120843?Keyword=scale
I know its pricey, but one is always able to find good deals online. I am a firm believer in researching for good products and getting what you pay for (without paying full price).
If you find one online you like head over to www.retailmenot.com for some coupon codes.
That's the scale that I have, and I absolutely LOVE it. I also love that the weighing platform detaches so it can be washed. I didn't pay $49 for it though, I think I paid like 20ish at a reclaimed freight store. I guess I lucked out.
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Solids are measured by weight (grams) and liquids are measured by volume (milliliters) and they are not the same thing. No lawsuit.cndkendrick wrote: »I just feel like the serving size (per the bottle) is 2 tablespoons of salad dressing or 28-30mls or 28-30 grams...If not... the company not to mention the FDA has a lawsuit on their hands.
Regardless... use a tablespoon to weigh your dressing, sno' skin of my nose ;-)
Water is a special case of 1g~=1ml because of how grams and liters were originally defined. 0 -
Omg you guys rock! Great advice!
I use scales regularly in my work (I'm a chemist), so I know how to tare and do conversions easily.
When weighing liquids you have to take into account density. Most liquids do not align with water whose density is 1g/ml. With density you can convert mass to volume, however, since most ppl do not have the density of other liquids readily on hand (and if it's not a pure substance the information is not likely found anyway), it's best to stick to measuring by volume. The density of milk will differ drastically per batch due to fat content.
Per your example, you can have the same volume serving size of 28-30 mls of five different substances but it won't be the same weight across all five unless they all have the same density.
Sorry I'm a nerd.0 -
you better get an attorney than lol
Because a lot of times it is not it is less or more
Had some soft taco's that are always off...always more btw
and the cheesecake piece that was 1 serving 46 grams = 210 calories But was after weighing 253..so 43 calories more!!
Had some other things but forget ...because i dont go by serving sizes or cups and spoons anymore.
I weigh everything ...and log everything
Thats how i lost my 104 pounds in 10 months
And happy with it
Everybody has its own way. But sure enough the weighing pays off now that my deficit gets smaller and smaller. I am used to it and it only takes a minute more to weigh all my food....
And it know i have the most accurate numbers possible.0 -
nicediva007 wrote: »Omg you guys rock! Great advice!
I use scales regularly in my work (I'm a chemist), so I know how to tare and do conversions easily.
When weighing liquids you have to take into account density. Most liquids do not align with water whose density is 1g/ml. With density you can convert mass to volume, however, since most ppl do not have the density of other liquids readily on hand (and if it's not a pure substance the information is not likely found anyway), it's best to stick to measuring by volume. The density of milk will differ drastically per batch due to fat content.
Per your example, you can have the same volume serving size of 28-30 mls of five different substances but it won't be the same weight across all five unless they all have the same density.
Sorry I'm a nerd.
sorry you are thinking wrong
No density involved
I weigh my liquid this way.
The label says 1/2 cup is 30 calories
So i put my half cup on the scale, tara button so the scale goes back to zero...poor the liquid in it...now the XX grams it gives me i use...I now know always that for this liquid the XX gram amount is half a cup.
So when making ice cream or other things with that liquid as ingredient..i put the bowl on the scale. tara out so the scale is on zero.
Fruit in it, write down the grams...tara out to zero...next ingredient for example my liquid..so i poor the xx grams in it and write it down 30 calories...Because i know that amount of grams is half a cup.
This only works well when you use a certain liquid a lot.
Like me almond milk on a daily base.
Others i use cups
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It's all about density when you are working with trying to get mass from volume. Density is the "why" behind the differences in weight from one liquid to the next.
sorry you are thinking wrongnicediva007 wrote: »Omg you guys rock! Great advice!
I use scales regularly in my work (I'm a chemist), so I know how to tare and do conversions easily.
When weighing liquids you have to take into account density. Most liquids do not align with water whose density is 1g/ml. With density you can convert mass to volume, however, since most ppl do not have the density of other liquids readily on hand (and if it's not a pure substance the information is not likely found anyway), it's best to stick to measuring by volume. The density of milk will differ drastically per batch due to fat content.
Per your example, you can have the same volume serving size of 28-30 mls of five different substances but it won't be the same weight across all five unless they all have the same density.
Sorry I'm a nerd.
No density involved
I weigh my liquid this way.
The label says 1/2 cup is 30 calories
So i put my half cup on the scale, tara button so the scale goes back to zero...poor the liquid in it...now the XX grams it gives me i use...I now know always that for this liquid the XX gram amount is half a cup.
So when making ice cream or other things with that liquid as ingredient..i put the bowl on the scale. tara out so the scale is on zero.
Fruit in it, write down the grams...tara out to zero...next ingredient for example my liquid..so i poor the xx grams in it and write it down 30 calories...Because i know that amount of grams is half a cup.
This only works well when you use a certain liquid a lot.
Like me almond milk on a daily base.
Others i use cups
You are getting a weight for a measured volume of a substance so that you can then use that weight to get that specific volume of the liquid. That works. However, density is why you need to get separate weights for separate substances.0 -
lol when i weigh out half a cup of almond milk...the next time that almond milk will weigh the same...and the next day too and after that and that
So lets say i weigh half a cup of almond milk is 42 gram...the next day it is 42 gram again... really try it lol
So why the next day take the half cup....just put your bowl or coffee cup on the scale...tara it out and poor in 42 grams of almond milk ( which is your half cup) = 30 calories0 -
I agree that half a cup of water or milk or other liquids dont weigh 42 grams btw...
But like i said before i am speaking of one liquid you use often...than you know it.0 -
Yup, because the almond milk has the same density every day. However, it doesn't have the same density as Ranch dressing or Ketchup or Mayonnaise.lol when i weigh out half a cup of almond milk...the next time that almond milk will weigh the same...and the next day too and after that and that
So lets say i weigh half a cup of almond milk is 42 gram...the next day it is 42 gram again... really try it lol
So why the next day take the half cup....just put your bowl or coffee cup on the scale...tara it out and poor in 42 grams of almond milk ( which is your half cup) = 30 calories
You might have 55 grams for a half cup of Ranch dressing. It would be 55 grams every time, but it wouldn't be the 42 grams for that same half cup of almond milk because one is more dense.
Just like you said above, you need a list for the different weights for the different liquids if you want to weigh those liquids directly. That's because the different liquids have different densities.0 -
well i dont use much dressings etc those i just measure every time ( and i use them rare) Most of the time i make my own dressings...But my milk i know so no cups involved anymore.
I even made entry's in MFP database for my own foods
like white rice cooked per gram
Beans etc.
Ones you know how much it is dry and cooked you can make your own entry's and walla much quicker to pick the amount of your Own food list.
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Oops, I always weigh my salad dressing (grams)...so I've been underestimating cals?0
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To be quite frank, steph, one can always over pour a cup or tablespoon of something without spilling over. I would go by the serving size and weigh it on a scale.0
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