Can anyone post a picture of 2 ounces of roast beef or turkey? I don't have a scale and for some reason I'm having a TERRIBLE time estimating lunch meat because it's so thin and I can't eyeball how many calories it would be. I can't go by the number of slices becaues I don't know what they mean by "slice" because the slices we get are the big kind that you have to fold over to fit on a piece of bread, making me wonder if that counts as two slices or one. I think I just need a visual here!
The package should tell you how many servings there are. You also have the weight of the package. Weight divided by number of servings Oscar Mayer light bologna 1 slice is 1 ounce 60 calories. Look on the package, it should tell you.
buy a set of scales for the meats that you get from the deli or for other items. That has really helped me with everything since I got them. For those in packages, reading the label is a great help.
The label is only a stamp the deli counter puts on it that shows the weight, but it's for the whole portion. They cut the meat right off the turkey breast, etc., right while you're there, to your desired thickness. I suppose I could get a brand new package and look at the weight and count the number of slices, but the thickness can also vary each time you buy it....
I also vote for getting a scale. Mine was about $20 and I use it almost every day. You can also look at the package; if the deli stamp says ".50 lbs" then you know that's 8 oz. Divide your deli meat into 4 portions as equally as you can and don't worry about this portion being 1.8 oz and that one being 2.2 oz. They will average out in the end.
The scale really helped me. I was way over estimating on some things but was underestimating on others.
I agree with the scale idea, and also look at some of the packaged meat in the store - you can at least get an idea of what the calories are. Its been awhile since I've had deli sliced meat, but I think some that I've had were 70 cals for 6 slices, of thinly sliced turkey lunch meat.
If you are getting your meat at a time when there is no line, you might ask the deli attendant to weigh one slice for you (or show you how many slices of the at-the-time thickness make up 2 oz). That should give you an idea.
I'll have to see if they have any really cheap ones at WalMart. I'm only here for the summer and then I fly back to school in late August, so there's no point in investing in a fancy one. Then at school, most of my food is on a mealplan, and they list a lot of calories, so there's not so much need for one there.
If you buy a pound that's 16 oz. So divide the pile in half = 8 oz. Divide in half again = 4 oz. Divide in 1/2 once more = 2 oz. Then you'll have 8 servings of 2 oz. each.
When I get meat at the deli counter, it's usually 1 slice = 1 oz.
And an oz. of meat only has about 29-40 calories, so even if you go over or under a little, it's not the end of the world.