I was surprised this morning. All along I have been measuring my peanut butter as one level tablespoon, as the food label indicates. We all know how calorie dense PB is and how it can add up really fast! On a whim, I decided to weigh my typical serving and see how close it was to an actual Tbsp. When I weighed it, my serving was 20 grams, not the 15g it was supposed to be. That doesn't seem like much until you do the math. 15g grams is 80 calories where 20g is 107. I eat PB every morning and sometimes in the afternoon. That accounts for an extra 189-300 calories every week just because my measurement was off by 5g

I am going to start weighing everything and ditch the measuring cups and spoon when ever possible. I am not sure how to deal with weighing when they list a serving as 250ml etc. I know that is a cup but what would it weigh. Would it be 250 grams too

250 ml of WATER weighs 250 grams. Most things are heavier by volume. Fat--oil--is a little lighter than water, so you could probably substitute there. Milk is about the same as water.

Do you use Fitday? Many things there will be listed by weight and volume, so it's just a matter of opening up the drop-down menu. If you record on paper, you can find calorie counts for most things by gram on line, and nutrition labels always list the gram weight of a serving.

The z/t button is what saves me. When I put peanut butter on triscuits, I weigh the triscuits out, hit z/t, then just keep dabbing PB on each one until it reads the weight I want. I really like weighing things. It makes me feel confident.

I'm getting a food scale this week because I also think it is important. I'm a pretty precise person and don't want to just "guess" especially during this initial phase of counting. Can anyone recommend a really good scale?

My scale arrived a couple weeks ago, and I think it has solved the mystery of why I have been losing at a relatively high calorie level -- I think I've been overestimating everything! Especially things like meat. I know they say a serving of chicken breast is about the size of a deck of cards -- well, I must have small cards or something, because what I thought looked like a deck of cards was only about 2.5 oz. Maybe they mean red meat when they say that?

Anyway, I agree, weighing is the way to go for accurate calorie counts!

Handbags, I got this scale. I can't say as to whether it's good or not, as it's the only one I've ever had. I wanted a small one, and it fit that requirement. It is hard (impossible) to read with a large plate on it, but I guess that goes along with the "small" part.

I think my food scale is one of the best weightloss tools that I have. Worth every penny. Like Schmead, I feel so much more confident when I use it.

This is the one I got, and the little pull out part comes in handy from time to time.

http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-Grips-Scal...8374745&sr=1-1

sweetnlow--
ive been sayin this stuff for quite a while now, but a lot of people "poo=poo" being so accurate! It REALLY DOES add up! oatmeal is the same way, so make sure you start weighin that as well! you should check out this video (But by now, it will come as no suprise to you)

It is a video about the "shocking truth" why you arent losing fat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

Totally agree, I use my scale for EVERYTHING. Often though I'll find I get more food. Especially with bulky stuff like strawberries or whatever.

Great video. Some of the comments are downright moronic. LOL

I love my food scale....it is the "Biggest Loser" scale and it was $19 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

I weigh everything as well. I noticed something may say 1 cup = 140 grams and so not the case. So I started weighing everything. I have the biggest loser scale too. It's right by the stove so everything gets weighed and quickly.

Some of the comments made me mad, stupid people. I wanted to post a reply but I figured why waste my time. Some people, LOL

This is me! I love the zero button! I've had a food scale a while, but it didn't dawn on me until recently that it can be used for more than meats...I weigh out cereal servings now, AND peanut butter. It's crazy how truly small a tablespoon of peanut butter is. I was guess-timating it, and probably eating closer to 2 or more TBS of Peanut butter and counting it as only one!

I have to admit that I'm petrified of getting a scale. I really worry that it's going to make me become more obsessed with the numbers than I already am, but at the same time I know how much it would help me in my calorie counting.

How much do they run?

It makes you less obsessed because you know.

You can buy a digital one for $15-20, though like anything else, you can pay as much as you want for a really top end one. I'm not sure they are any better.

Hmmm, I may have to look into getting one this weekend. It would be so much more accurate if I could track my calories by weight instead of guessing serving sizes.

I like weighing for the OTHER side of the coin as well. Ice-cream for example. My label says 1/2 cup (67 grams). Well if I measure a 1/2 cup it is WAY less than 67 grams. I guess I just dont pack it in there like they do. So I weigh ice-cream because I get MORE

Same with pasta. If I measure 2 oz dry I get much much more than if I measure cooked 1 cup.

Berries, I often get more as well. So the scale can be friendly too!

I think on the items that are only offered in volume, typically those are less dependant on "packing" adjustments. I wouldnt try to figure out the weight conversion because it isnt likely to be more accurate. Or if it is a food you eat often, just weigh the 250 ml once and write it down.

I like weighing just because it is so much more dishwashing friendly to stick my bowl on a scale and put the food in it rather than dirty a measuring cup.


MTA: and on the PB. I weigh it on my toast. For awhile I got frustrated because 1T really wasnt enough. then I decided to just adjust my portion size and account for it. I use 5/8th oz every time without fail (I measure to check and it is always 5/8ths) That is how much it takes to cover my toast.