Food scale...Do you weigh your portions?

leafygreensforme
leafygreensforme Posts: 18 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
Do you weigh your food portions? Does it make a difference? I've been guessing when it comes to weight and portion size on the food that isn't clearly marked (like chicken) since I started the beginning of Jan. and wondering if I should buy a food scale to be more specific when tracking my calorie intake...what do you think? Has anyone found using a food scale to be helpful or more work than its worth....
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Replies

  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    I weigh whenever it's needed. If I buy a container of chicken, and it's 377g (I've not plucked that number from nothing, that's the right one for my chicken), I will take approximately half and accept that it's 188.5g, but for anything like fruit and veg, cereal etc where it's harder to guess that number, I definitely always weigh. I wouldn't pour out a quarter of a 400g bag of frozen veg and assume I'd got 100g, because it's much harder to get that quarter right than pulling five pieces of chicken out of a container of ten.
  • FoxyMcDeadlift
    FoxyMcDeadlift Posts: 771 Member
    I weigh pretty much everything, it only takes a extra second during the prep work and it means you know 100% what your eating. Just dont get fooled by portion sizes on stuff like pasta, as they may be dry weight rather than cooked weight!
  • leafygreensforme
    leafygreensforme Posts: 18 Member
    Thanks...
    Anyone else out there have a thought?
  • TeresaC79
    TeresaC79 Posts: 316 Member
    I weigh everything. Otherwise, how do yo know how much you are actually eating?

    It really is the most accurate way to track. Even when you measure in measuring cups, you will often find, when compared to the scale you are either over or underrating the serving.
  • judgejava
    judgejava Posts: 88
    Thanks...
    Anyone else out there have a thought?

    If you dont know how much it weighs or the amount you are having, you cant count your calories.

    The end

    ;-)
  • leafygreensforme
    leafygreensforme Posts: 18 Member
    Do you trust the portion size and calories when it's printed on the package?
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    Do you trust the portion size and calories when it's printed on the package?

    Always. I wouldn't have anything to go on, otherwise. I use what I'm given, and it works.
  • MsBaby117
    MsBaby117 Posts: 201 Member
    I weigh or measure everything to make sure I'm eating the correct portions...
  • emmaonamission
    emmaonamission Posts: 117
    Yes, and it makes a hell of a lot of difference to me. I follow the Slimming World plan and you pretty much have to. I have been shocked by how little a 'portion' really is, but then I think my portions before were massively inflated and that's probably why I got to the size I did. I have 28g of cereal in the morning, 100ml of milk with it, etc. I also properly measure tablespoons/teaspoons by making sure it's not a heaped tablespoon/teaspoon. It sounds like a lot of effort but it's second nature to me now.
  • Alsha1999
    Alsha1999 Posts: 46 Member
    I measure every meal! My eyes lie to me if I do not. They tell me that I need more. :) I have weighed and measured my food for over 12 years. I serve food with measuring cups.
  • jmuhnie
    jmuhnie Posts: 93 Member
    I do trust the package. Usually go with the weight option as opposed to the 1/4 cup type stuff if it is a dry food.
  • twoscimitars
    twoscimitars Posts: 272 Member
    In things that are pre-packaged or measured, I trust the package. But with something like meats or a bag of frozen veggies, or a can of something, I will measure or weigh. It makes everything more accurate - and only takes an extra second. :)
  • Kona54
    Kona54 Posts: 30 Member
    that is a big YES..especially protein...most women do not eat enough..if its green veggies I don't weigh
  • RogerF765
    RogerF765 Posts: 113
    I just scan the barcodes on the packages and go by that. Some stuff I'll measure like liquids but for the most part I just try to be in the ballpark. It has worked for me that way
  • JeannieCH
    JeannieCH Posts: 2
    I weigh almost everything! I don't estimate portions well, so my calorie count per day would be way off.
    I have some handy measuring "cups" as well that I use for things like cooked rice. Since I'm usually cooking for more than myself, it is nice to plate up the right portions for myself.
  • Lorleee
    Lorleee Posts: 369 Member
    I am allowed 6-8 ounces of protein a day so I always use the food scale for fish, chicken, etc. I could just guestimate but I'd rather know for sure.

    15247291.png
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  • leafygreensforme
    leafygreensforme Posts: 18 Member
    Thank you so very much...I'm heading out his morning to but a food scale...are they all pretty much the same?
  • LakeCountyDiver
    LakeCountyDiver Posts: 50 Member
    I dont weigh anything. I count the calories. As for finding the serving size the most I will do is measure for things like cereal.. I dont measure fruit or vegetables.

    If it is a pack of 3 chicken breast at 2.5 pounds I just divide 2.5 by 3 and get my weight then count the calories accordingly
  • CP533
    CP533 Posts: 10
    I weight everything, otherwise I worry I'm giving myself too much. I have a pen and paper in the kitchen so I can write down weights then add them to MFP when I have time.

    Drives my husband mad sometimes when we're serving up dinner, haha!

    Sometimes with things like mayo if I don't eat it all I'll weigh whats left to be accurate...I think thats OCD though :laugh:

    Obviously I'm not that particular about it when eating out or at friends and just guess
  • CP533
    CP533 Posts: 10
    I dont weigh anything. I count the calories.

    I weigh things so I can accurately count calories, surely they go hand in hand? If you have nutritional values for 100g of pasta, for example, the only way of accurately calorie counting is to weigh the pasta you have and then calculate them from there
  • leafygreensforme
    leafygreensforme Posts: 18 Member
    That's so funny...I have a pencil and pad of paper in the kitchen too...as I'm making dinner I'm writing calories down to add to my "tracker"....maybe a little OCD is ok when you're tracking calories :happy:
  • CP533
    CP533 Posts: 10
    Thank you so very much...I'm heading out his morning to but a food scale...are they all pretty much the same?

    I prefer electronic ones for ease of use, accuracy and size. Its good if they have the option to show grams or ounces. Mine also do ml or fl oz, but thats a gimmick as 100gms = 100mls, etc. I use flat scales so I can easily sit a plate on them, some people prefer ones with a bowl so you can weigh flour etc in it.
  • FoxyMcDeadlift
    FoxyMcDeadlift Posts: 771 Member
    Rather than work off a portion, where possible i prefer to work off the calories of 100gs worth of food. Its easier to divide by then say a portion off 288gs or whatever
  • uk_ja
    uk_ja Posts: 143 Member
    I weigh all amounts of food I use to cook a meal and then I weigh the portions I put on my plate, I use a cheap digital scale and weigh in grams for accuracy I find it works better than using volume as in cups, tbsp.
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
    I always weigh my food, but I'm also Type 1 diabetic so weighing is the way for me to accurately dose my insulin as well.
  • xcrushx28
    xcrushx28 Posts: 182 Member
    I've brought a scale to a restaurant before...

    Everything get weighed ;)

    I made pizza yesterday and a package of pizza crust is supposed to be 4 servings, but ended up weighing out 4.2 servings. Bread is something else that may vary a whole bunch when you weigh it. Sometimes where 2 slices of bread may equal 2.6 or 3.2 in actual weight...
  • Sabineslims
    Sabineslims Posts: 70
    I weigh every thing. It's too easy to over estimate or under estimate.
    I also measure everything as well.
    It's important to me to know exactly what I am eating. It's also very useful to learn what 3 oz's of chicken truly looks like so when I am somewhere that I am not able to measure, I have a good sense of what portion size it looks like. It's a great tool and to me, invaluable.
    Well worth the small investment.
  • biancamirella
    biancamirella Posts: 22 Member
    I weigh absolutely everything. It's really helped me get a more realistic idea of portion sizes. Plus, I like having exact numbers in my log. I've had the most success when I am weighing everything with a scale. Using measuring cups isn't as exact, as it depends on how much you fill it up and where you fill it up to.
  • andrialindsay
    andrialindsay Posts: 55
    Oh yes I weigh everything for the most part. I purchased my digital scales off amazon and they work/worked great. The first one my friend was over and asked me if I was selling drugs.. joking of course, so my second one I purchased looks more "chef friendly" LOL. I also use it when I'm baking to get more accurate measures.
    Also I live alone so when I buy fresh meats I weigh them, divide them into servings then freeze so that I know exactly what I'm getting when I pull it out of the freezer.
  • heatherterp
    heatherterp Posts: 239
    in the beginning I eyeballed things. After Christmas we got a food scale and things got more serious. I find it is hard when the package has 2 set of info on the lable. as packaged and as prepared. It takes a lot of figuring, but since I have gotten out the measuring cups, spoons and the scale I am making my average of 2 pounds a week. when we are out I have a better Idea of what the portion is. I say as long as you are keeping honest with yourself do what is right for you. we will all get there eventually.
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