Counting calories without a scale
Honeyacid
Posts: 115 Member
I really want to find a way to accurately count calories but I don't have a food scale. Is there any way to get even an estimate about the amount of calories I'm consuming on a day to day basis?
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Replies
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Just use measuring spoons and cups accurately. Every video I have seen of why you can't use measuring cups just proves that some people don't know HOW to use measuring cups, not that the cups themselves are that far off.
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I would invest $15 in a scale.
You could use measuring cups and spoons as mentioned above. I think you would quickly tire of trying to convert all the database entries you need to those measurements, though.5 -
It depends what you mean by "accurately". A food scale is the most accurate way to count calories. Any other way won't be as accurate. But it may still be suitable for weight loss. I only use a food scale for a portion of my food and I have lost 40 pounds.
The key is to set reasonable goals and go at a slow and moderate pace.3 -
you can, but only sort of. there are things that you can't accurately measure - you have to weigh them.
you can get a food scale for less than $10.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozeri-ZK14-Pronto-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-and-Food-Scale/54304214?
i had the black on silver one, which is the cheapest color right now, currently under $12, and it was accurate.1 -
My scale broke four weeks ago and I’ve just been measuring it. Still dropping consistently.6
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You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.3
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All calorie counting is an estimate. Consistency is the most important variable. So, if you use measuring tools in a consistent manner, you can adjust your calories to get a safe weight loss.7
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L1zardQueen wrote: »You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.
This is what I plan on doing, varying my intake depending on how much I weigh.2 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.
This is what I plan on doing, varying my intake depending on how much I weigh.
Okay, but... it takes food 23 to 72 hours to move through your digestive tract, depending on the person. So, how will you figure your intake according to your weight?2 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.
This is what I plan on doing, varying my intake depending on how much I weigh.
Okay, but... it takes food 23 to 72 hours to move through your digestive tract, depending on the person. So, how will you figure your intake according to your weight?
I do it and use my trend weight and adjust..I actually don't even log my intake. It does takes some trial and error but once you get to know your body and trends it can work.4 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.
This is what I plan on doing, varying my intake depending on how much I weigh.
Okay, but... it takes food 23 to 72 hours to move through your digestive tract, depending on the person. So, how will you figure your intake according to your weight?
I'll use the classic technique: I'll wing it. Also I generally eat similar food each day so there's not much food related weight variation.2 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »You don’t need a scale, some do (me included), but it is not necessary. Track your progress and if you are not making any progress drop or add calories by 100 calories a day.
This is what I plan on doing, varying my intake depending on how much I weigh.
Okay, but... it takes food 23 to 72 hours to move through your digestive tract, depending on the person. So, how will you figure your intake according to your weight?
I do it and use my trend weight and adjust..I actually don't even log my intake. It does takes some trial and error but once you get to know your body and trends it can work.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.0 -
How accurate you need to be depends in part on how much you’re trying to lose. If you have a lot to lose, your deficit is big enough that some errors in logging probably aren’t a big deal. But if you’re only trying to lose 10 pounds or so, most people find that they need to be very accurate with their logging.1
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How accurate you need to be depends in part on how much you’re trying to lose. If you have a lot to lose, your deficit is big enough that some errors in logging probably aren’t a big deal. But if you’re only trying to lose 10 pounds or so, most people find that they need to be very accurate with their logging.
@Honeyacid in June your goal was to lose 30-40 pounds by 2020 - where are you at now?3 -
Based on all your other threads I’m concerned for your overall well being. Your approaches are drastic and dangerous. I’ll tell you what, how about you axe all the crazy “diets” and plans you posted about , just eat in a slight calorie deficit every day and I’ll amazon prime you a scale for free? I would be happy to pay forward what this community has taught me21
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How accurate you need to be depends in part on how much you’re trying to lose. If you have a lot to lose, your deficit is big enough that some errors in logging probably aren’t a big deal. But if you’re only trying to lose 10 pounds or so, most people find that they need to be very accurate with their logging.
Not necessarily. If the person wants to lose the weight fast, yes, a food scale is recommended in order to be more accurate. If the person wants to eat back all or part of the exercise calories, then a food scale will be better than estimating or using other measuring tools.
My original goal when I joined MFP was to lose l0 lbs and I was not in a hurry. I lost14lbs by estimating, using generic entries in the database (OMG!!!), and measuring with cups and spoons. I also didn't eat my exercise calories unless I was hungry. I only got a food scale when I wanted to keep a better track of my macros. I am sure that I am not the only special snowflake in the forums.
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Try it and see what the results are. If you are losing too fast or aren't losing anything, then get a scale and see if that works better for you.
I didn't use a scale, but still lost weight and have managed to maintain it for several years. Like Giselle, i do a lot of estimating and using generic entries. However, I do a lot of exercise. I eat back all my calories, but I burn more than the app says, which gives me some leeway. I also split meals with my husband but log 50% of the calories in the meal, so sometimes I am overestimating my intake.1 -
Based on all your other threads I’m concerned for your overall well being. Your approaches are drastic and dangerous. I’ll tell you what, how about you axe all the crazy “diets” and plans you posted about , just eat in a slight calorie deficit every day and I’ll amazon prime you a scale for free? I would be happy to pay forward what this community has taught me
Quoting because you’re right and a really kind/cool person and liking that post isn’t enough.4 -
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Based on all your other threads I’m concerned for your overall well being. Your approaches are drastic and dangerous. I’ll tell you what, how about you axe all the crazy “diets” and plans you posted about , just eat in a slight calorie deficit every day and I’ll amazon prime you a scale for free? I would be happy to pay forward what this community has taught me
Awwwss, so nice to read this
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Some people can lose weight using measuring spoons and cups. I lost weight using measuring cups and spoons, once at age 20 and most recently at age 60. Never had problems losing, my issue has been keeping the weight off. That seems to be an issue for over 80% of people, no matter how the weight is lost. Clearly, weight loss results from eating less calories than your body burns, gaining weight happens when you eat more calories than your body burns.
Like so much of this weight loss issue, whatever works for each of us.
BTW, I did purchase a food scale. I used it for a while, but found the differences to be so small that I quit using it. If the body weight scale ever quits moving down, I’ll reconsider. I have been cooking/ baking almost all my life, measuring, not weighing ingredients, is how I was taught. I have a good eye for measurements and realize it’s not for everyone.5 -
You cannot measure accurately, but you can make guesses. Then based on what happens after a few weeks, if you are losing too fast or too slow, correct your guesses in one or the other direction.2
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Honestly, using a food scale is the easiest and most accurate way to track your intake and the 15 or 20 bucks you'll spend to get one will be the cheapest investment in your health that you'll ever make. 2
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snickerscharlie wrote: »Honestly, using a food scale is the easiest and most accurate way to track your intake and the 15 or 20 bucks you'll spend to get one will be the cheapest investment in your health that you'll ever make.
For those of us who are extremely lazy, it's the best! I despise cleaning peanut butter out of a measuring spoon.
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Nothing wrong with eyeballing things if it works. But it's important to understand that way, way more food will end up in the mix if it's volume rather than weight measured. Simply buying and using a $15 digital scale will itself be responsible for quite a few pounds of weight loss over time.5
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snickerscharlie wrote: »Honestly, using a food scale is the easiest and most accurate way to track your intake and the 15 or 20 bucks you'll spend to get one will be the cheapest investment in your health that you'll ever make.
For those of us who are extremely lazy, it's the best! I despise cleaning peanut butter out of a measuring spoon.
Just wondering, how do you get it out of the jar in the first place? I’m as lazy as the next person, but I dislike any additional items I have to clean, ie: the food scale.0 -
missysippy930 wrote: »snickerscharlie wrote: »Honestly, using a food scale is the easiest and most accurate way to track your intake and the 15 or 20 bucks you'll spend to get one will be the cheapest investment in your health that you'll ever make.
For those of us who are extremely lazy, it's the best! I despise cleaning peanut butter out of a measuring spoon.
Just wondering, how do you get it out of the jar in the first place? I’m as lazy as the next person, but I dislike any additional items I have to clean, ie: the food scale.
No avoiding getting a knife dirty, but put jar of pb on scale, tare scale, scoop out what you want with knife, note the -grams.4 -
Based on all your other threads I’m concerned for your overall well being. Your approaches are drastic and dangerous. I’ll tell you what, how about you axe all the crazy “diets” and plans you posted about , just eat in a slight calorie deficit every day and I’ll amazon prime you a scale for free? I would be happy to pay forward what this community has taught me
Offer still stands if you come back to your thread7 -
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