Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Weighing and measuring food



Recommended Posts

While right now I'm on the pre op Clear Liquids and shakes diet I like to think ahead. So I was wondering what kind of food scales do you have and where did you get them. Also what do you use to measure your portion sizes especially when cooking for a family of 4 knowing nobody in the house will eat as little ad you. Thanks in advance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going on a year post op and just bought a food scale today. My last fill was very tight, I am finally only eating less than a cup of food but am finding it challenging to get my protien in now, so i feel like i need to be more percise on exactlly how much protien I am eating. I bought my scale at Walmart, they had 4 or 5 to pick from under $30.oo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think I got my scale at target...it is a digital scale that allows you to zero out the weight so I can put a plate in it, zero it out and then add the Protein I need to weigh. The only other thing you need is a set of measuring cups and measuring spoons.

Since my family doesn't eat like I do, I no longer put bowls and plates on the table during dinner...instead, I serve from the kitchen so I'm not tempted to eat more than I should. For my plate, I measure out 3-4 oz Protein and 1/2 cup veggies. Then I eat that, and only that. I also don't pour myself a drink at all...if it's not on the table then I can't drink it while I eat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So far I've just used measuring cups to figure out my food. I know that 4 ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards, so when I cook I make up plates in the kitchen and carry them to the table for everyone. That way the food isn't sitting on the table to tempt me ;) I just put different amounts of stuff on my plate. For example Wednesday night I made baked chicken, brown rice, and salad. I used the chicken tender size breast pieces so they're smaller and easier for me to portion out for myself. I put one on my plate and 2 on my kids' plates, 3 on my DH's plate. I got a small spoonful of rice, they all got closer to 1/2 cup. I got a lot more salad than the girls did ;)

The funny thing about feeding your family with a AGB is that I always forget to put out glasses for everyone else biggrin.gif It doesn't even occur to me to do it anymore!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I haven't weighed and measured my foods yet. 3-4 oz of solid Protein is the size of your palm. A cup of food is the size of your fist. A tablespoon is the size of your thumb. After all the years of doing Weight Watchers I was good at estimating portions (doesn't mean I did it, of course!). So now I apply that knowledge.

For me, it is important to not make a big deal out of my diet. Note: it is just hubby and me at home. We cook for the two of us and I portion out my plate. I eat until I hear the whisper of satiety, and I am done. If there is still food on my plate, so be it. If I start to feel any pain like I am getting stuck, I stop. If I was only two bites into my meal, oh well. Putting more food down will NOT go well.

Weight Watchers centers used to sell serving spoons that were also measuring cups. So you could easily portion out a quarter or half cup of veggies or rice. They also had a variety of scales. You didn't have to be a member to purchase them. Just go in at the beginning part of a meeting and make the purchase.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

MIne came from Target...it is a digital scale that was under $30. I also use a set of measuring cups / spoons for sauces, potatoes etc.

I still cook for 2 since the kids are gone so hubby usually eats the leftovers for lunch the next day. For me I use a small plate and measure out 3-4 oz of Protein, 1/4 c starch and 1/2 c veggies. It fills up the plate perfectly.

When I am out I just eyeball it. And I always ask for an extra plate or to go box and take what I know I can eat and put the rest in a box to take home.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×