Cups vs Scales ??
cjwils169
Posts: 10 Member
I have been weighing my food by scales and just lately found out that it may be better to measure certain foods by cups as opposed to scales and ounces. How do you do it ? Thanks
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Replies
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scales are far better/far more accurate0
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For measuring liquids, get a good set of measuring cups and measuring spoons.
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Only use measuring cups / jugs for liquids. Anything solid is better on the scale.0
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Thanks.0
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I even measure my liquids on my scale by turning the unit to ml. I simply don't trust cups anymore.0
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Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?0 -
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk is pretty close to water in its specific gravity, but higher fat milks are denser. Stick to measuring and make sure you use a liquid measuring cup, not the dry ones because they are not as accurate (on the other hand, use dry cups for things like flour because the liquid are not as accurate for measuring dry ingredients).
Liquid measuring cup:
Dry measuring cups:
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Doesn't really matter, though. As long as you consistently weigh X ml of Y you'll get consistent results. Probably more so than with cups or spoons.0 -
How can measuring ever be better than weighing?0
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Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »How can measuring ever be better than weighing?
Depends on how you define 'better'. Weighing is usually more accurate than measuring, but measuring can be more convenient than weighing depending on circumstances. Whichever works for you IMO!0 -
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.0 -
I use cups and have not found it to be a problem.0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
Doesn't really matter, though. As long as you consistently weigh X ml of Y you'll get consistent results. Probably more so than with cups or spoons.
Yep, you'll get consistent results, but you're not consuming 100ml of Y, you're consuming 100g of Y.
Honestly, it's probably more of a personal issue than anything. I'm an engineer, so I like my units to be correct
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I like my results to be correct. Consistent measurements -- which I think is easier to do with weight than with cups and spoons, others may not -- makes it easier for me to get correct results.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Doesn't really matter, though. As long as you consistently weigh X ml of Y you'll get consistent results. Probably more so than with cups or spoons.
Yep, you'll get consistent results, but you're not consuming 100ml of Y, you're consuming 100g of Y.
Honestly, it's probably more of a personal issue than anything. I'm an engineer, so I like my units to be correct
I mean, if my log says 80g of milk and not 80ml of milk, it's not like a jet engine is going to blow apart in the sky because I conflated micrometers with millimeters or something.
But, yeah, I agree on the "personal issue" thing. As long as people can get consistent measurements with whatever tools they use, they'll be in good shape.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more milliliters (20% more) for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil instead of measuring it is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
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Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
But you have to know that the calorie count will be different. If you decide to weigh liquids, you need to figure out what each liquid is going to weigh and convert the calories for accurate logging. More trouble than it is worth. I have enough notes in my kitchen. I do not need a notebook listing the equivalent weight/volume conversion for every liquid I use. My wine list would be an entire page since I drink a variety from light whites to very hearty reds.
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You're right, the orbiter isn't going to crash into Mars if you log 80ml instead of 80g. I weigh liquids most of the time and it is a really useful way to maintain consistency, especially in tricky baking recipes.DeguelloTex wrote: »
I like my results to be correct. Consistent measurements -- which I think is easier to do with weight than with cups and spoons, others may not -- makes it easier for me to get correct results.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Doesn't really matter, though. As long as you consistently weigh X ml of Y you'll get consistent results. Probably more so than with cups or spoons.
Yep, you'll get consistent results, but you're not consuming 100ml of Y, you're consuming 100g of Y.
Honestly, it's probably more of a personal issue than anything. I'm an engineer, so I like my units to be correct
I mean, if my log says 80g of milk and not 80ml of milk, it's not like a jet engine is going to blow apart in the sky because I conflated micrometers with millimeters or something.
But, yeah, I agree on the "personal issue" thing. As long as people can get consistent measurements with whatever tools they use, they'll be in good shape.
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Which you might not know if you just used the "ml" function on a scale.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.0 -
Which you might not know if you just used the "ml" function on a scale.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
The ml function on a scale (according to my scale) is only accurate for milk. It does not know what you are weighing so it does not adjust for specific gravity, hence denser liquids will be more calories than the nutrition labels list (see my olive oil example above which was weighed with my scale set on ml)0 -
That it's more trouble for you than it's worth hardly makes it improper, though.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
But you have to know that the calorie count will be different. If you decide to weigh liquids, you need to figure out what each liquid is going to weigh and convert the calories for accurate logging. More trouble than it is worth. I have enough notes in my kitchen. I do not need a notebook listing the equivalent weight/volume conversion for every liquid I use. My wine list would be an entire page since I drink a variety from light whites to very hearty reds.0 -
Be advised that many sets of measuring cups are not actually one cup, one half, etc. One would think that all cups and spoons would hold what they say they do! It certainly makes sense! Sadly, no. It's a crapshoot. If you want to be sure that your set is accurate, you have to test them.For measuring liquids, get a good set of measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Then add in the fact that many manufacturers claim their cups are for both dry and wet ingredients, but the people who write recipes are making distinctions...it gets crazier.
Know what you're using.
I like to weigh things when baking - it's just easier. But then, when you bake, it's more art than science. The person who wrote the recipe doesn't know how humid it will be that day, if it's thunder storming or what...you might want more or less of something (esp flour) depending on the weather. You have to adjust. Still and all, if you're following a recipe, weighing is easier, IMO. if the scale can support all the weight, of course.
I weigh liquids when I can. If the label doesn't have (or there isn't an entry for) the weight in grams, it cannot be weighed and used to log. If I'm setting stuff up, though, I'll measure the liquids and leave them sitting in their beakers until I'm ready for them.
So I go both ways.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
That it's more trouble for you than it's worth hardly makes it improper, though.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
But you have to know that the calorie count will be different. If you decide to weigh liquids, you need to figure out what each liquid is going to weigh and convert the calories for accurate logging. More trouble than it is worth. I have enough notes in my kitchen. I do not need a notebook listing the equivalent weight/volume conversion for every liquid I use. My wine list would be an entire page since I drink a variety from light whites to very hearty reds.
The calories are still inaccurate unless you convert.
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True enough, but I rarely recommend will-nilly stuff like that, anyway.
Which you might not know if you just used the "ml" function on a scale.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.0 -
To sum up:
1) weighing liquids is more consistent
2) weighing liquids often results in inaccurate calorie counts
3) if you are striving for accuracy, measure your liquids (or weigh them and convert the calorie counts)
4) If you are losing and either weighing or measuring your liquids, keep doing what is working for you
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Yes, weighing to an improper measurement is improper. Liquid or solid, scale or cup.DeguelloTex wrote: »
That it's more trouble for you than it's worth hardly makes it improper, though.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Not if you know it weighs 12 grams, right?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How is it improper to measure liquids by weight, exactly?
Oooh...I never thought of this! I measure only milk(I don't drink juices etc), so I guess I'm getting a reasonable estimate. What do you think?
Skim milk has almost exactly the same density of water, so it's ok to measure it in grams.
Otherwise, the only proper method for measuring liquid is a container with milliliters.
Denser liquids will weigh more per milliliter than lighter liquids so they will have more calories. A Tbl of olive oil is 15 ml but weighs 12 g. if you weigh it assuming grams = milliliters, you will be consuming 15 grams which is 3 more grams for a total of 27 extra calories. The extra calories by weighing one Tbl of olive oil is not going to kill the diet, but it is still consuming more than you think.
But you have to know that the calorie count will be different. If you decide to weigh liquids, you need to figure out what each liquid is going to weigh and convert the calories for accurate logging. More trouble than it is worth. I have enough notes in my kitchen. I do not need a notebook listing the equivalent weight/volume conversion for every liquid I use. My wine list would be an entire page since I drink a variety from light whites to very hearty reds.
The calories are still inaccurate unless you convert.0 -
The calories are still inaccurate unless you convert.
This.
For example: 1 liter of oil is equal to 900 grams.
I measure milk in grams, but if I want to have, let's say, 200 ml of milk, I will pour 190 grams (if it's skim milk is more like 194, and if it's whole... well, I don't know, I have never checked). We are talking about tiny amounts, so it doesn't really matter. But it does matter with other things, like oil.
Easy explanation:
If the liquid is as fluid as water, then 100 ml. = 100 g.
If the liquid is denser, then you need to convert or to use a cup with ml.
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