Not sure how to measure some foods

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1/24/13 1:09 P

If the recipe calls for 1 cup, you would use a measuring cup, not a scale. As an example, 1 cup of popcorn is not going to weigh the same as 1 cup of milk. A scale would be used when the directions call for a weight of an ingredient, such as 4 ounces or 1/4 pound.

current weight: 176.0

206 192.5 179 165.5

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Posts: 528
1/24/13 5:38 A

I definitely need to buy a food scale soon. It will make things so much easier.

Pounds lost: 20.0

0 16.25 32.5 48.75

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Posts: 543
1/23/13 11:39 A

ZGETMAN is so right about how ounces are measured.

Anyway, as for me: I bought a food scale at one point for homebrewing, but later, when I joined SP, I started using it for food. Now I just measure dry ingredients on the scale by default; it's become a habit. Whenever an item -- like bag of rice or box of pasta or some nuts -- says "1/4 cup (28g)" or something like that as the serving size, I always measure the weight rather than volume. When baking I use teaspoons and tablespoons for spices, but I now use flour by weight (much more consistent than by volume). I tend to do vegetables by weight as well (precooked weight), though if I'm roasted half a squash (still with the 'skin' on it), I just estimate volume or size ... most vegetables are rather low-calorie, etc., and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter if it was a cup of X or 1.25 cups of X ...

current weight: 193.3

287 262.75 238.5 214.25

190

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1/17/13 10:07 P

I have found that when they talk about food that is not fluid, and it says ounces, they are meaning weight. If it is liquid then you are measuring fluid ounces. I have ran into the same problem as you when it comes to figuring out my serving sizes. I have gone as far as using a cup and scooping the food into another container and counting each one. I always use the recipe calculator on all my dinners, and when I have completed making it I figure out my portion for the calories.

Eat Lite to Be Lite.
Zach

current weight: 260.0

300 287.5 275 262.5

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1/17/13 6:08 P

For your casserole, divide it into 8 equal servings (I literally cut mine into 8 portions), and then take one, that's your one serving. Casseroles are especially easy for this because it's all in one dish. You can take it even furthur and weigh the whole thing, subtract the weight of the dish it's in, and then divide that by 8, and then weigh out your 1 serving so it equals the entire amount divided by 8.

But, I always just eyeball it and divide it the best I can, and that's worked out well for me.

Edited by: YOJULEZ at: 1/17/2013 (18:09)

current weight: 139.5

188 175.875 163.75 151.625

139.5

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1/17/13 5:08 P

When I read labels for portion sizes, I am not quite sure when to use a food scale to interpret my portion size vs. a measuring cup. For example, a cup of fruit scooped in a measuring cup is different than a cup of fruit on a food scale. I found some really nice SparkRecipes that combine my chicken, pasta and vegetables in one dish. The recipe shows, Serves 8. I never know how much of that good casserole I should scoop onto my plate which will equal 1 serving. I really do not want to sabatoge my weight loss by eating more than my serving size. I am not only learning what I should eat but understanding portion control. HELP!

Pounds lost: 14.0

0 9 18 27

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