Question:
What kinds of things can you measure with a food scale?

I know we are looking at volume and not weight, but i have heard that some things can be measured on a scale like meats. Also, does anyone have any other tips on measuring? Can we go by serving sizes on the packaging, or are those by weight too?    — Melissa B. (posted on September 26, 2001)

September 26, 2001
No, volume and wt are TOTALLY different. I use a bottle that holds 16 oz for a hand weight (well, I already own it!), but in reality, it weighs 1.69#. Almost double what the volume is. On the other hand, you'd need a truckload of lettuce leaves to weigh 1#, but you'd fill up a 1 oz pouch with about 1/2C chewed lettuce. We were coached to use a 1 oz cup to measure. Pretty soon you can eyeball an oz, pretty well. But that was a CHEWED oz.
   — vitalady

September 26, 2001
I used my food scale a LOT in the first year after my surgery. That was how I was able to keep track of my protein intake (and calories, too). Lots of the food counts (eg protein figures) are given by weight. Some examples (not the actual amounts): three ounces of lean pork chop might have 27 grams of protein & 345 calories; three ounces of salmon, 30g protein & 300 calories; one ounce of cheddar cheese has about 110 calories & 8 g protein. I weighed practically ALL my meats & other proteins, even veggies like broccoli or potato. Maybe that was because the book I used for my protein & calorie counts measured many things by weight. The things I could measure by volume, I did, such as 1 Tablespoon of mayo or peanut butter or 1/2 cup of yogurt or cottage cheese. I got so that I can now eyeball three ounces of meat or fish with almost NO degree of error at all! :) It just depends of the product whether the nutrition counts are based on weight or volume. I used the package counts when I could, but a lot of the foods we eat don't come in a package. The book I used (still do) is called The Complete Book of Food Counts by Corinne T Netzer, but I think there are lots of food count books available.
   — Kathy W.

September 27, 2001
my surgeon told me i will be given a dozen or so medicine cups (1 oz) upon my hospital discharge & this is what he wants me to use to measure my food. the poster who said that weight & volume r different is absolutely right.
   — sheryl titone