Weighing Out Food?

[sp1587 27]

I am admittedly a bit challenged in areas of math and science (thats why I'm in law school), so bare with me...

We were told that meals should be between 6-8oz in total. I've been weighing my food on a kitchen scale and making sure thats what I am following. However, I recently realized (duh) that not everything can be measured in Fluid ounces as it was on the scale.

Now I am hopeless confused on how to properly weigh or measure my food, how to know which foods need which kind of measurement, and how to determine the total size of the meal....

Help?

[Rebecca Cain Salpacka 100]

my nutrtiionist sais 2-3 oz of protein..but veggies should be 1/2 cup (i use the measuring cups for this) and carbs 1/4 cup. so only the meat is measured on my kitchen scale. when I actually measure the stuff out, i lose much quicker but i admittedly have gotten lazy and just guessed by looking at the portions...NOT a good idea lol.

[Cocoabean 430]

What Rebecca said. Our meals should be by volume. 6-8 oz being 3/4 to 1 cup. Solid Proteins, about 2-3 oz on a food scale, then add in the side dishes by volume.

As a note, I've never measured my food since being banded. It was important to me that I be as "normal" as possible. I did commit to myself that if I needed to measure due to plateaus or whatever, that I would begin to measure. I listen to my satisfied signal and stop eating. It is a big challenge to do so, but I hate measuring and "being on a diet."

[Sojourner 2,446]

I was advised to measure all foods by volume after being cooked. Each meal consists of 3 oz Protein, and 2 oz of Fiber carb. I have several measuring cups and glasses which give measurements for percentage of a cup along with those for ounces by volume. You have 20 minutes to eat your meal. It's important to recognize the signal from your body that you are full, and not eat another bite, regardless what may be left on your plate.

Different doctors will have slightly different instructions about portions...and there have been heated discussions about this topic previously on the forum. It's important that you follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon, or direct your questions to their staff.

Best wishes to you as you continue on your journey...

[Cazzy 725]

I must admit i dont like weighing out food so i dont, Protein i do around the size of a pack of cards, green veg i tend to just put on the plate 2 tablespoonfuils normally, i am not so precise that i have to use the scales but am pretty clear look wise as to what i can and cant eat

We have to devise methods of being banded that will last us , hopefully all our lives, so if u weigh out things intially get used to and learn what sizes u can and cant eat then just carry opn that judgement without the scales once u get expert at it, that way u can go out for meals anywhere and know exactly how much to eat

[brenty 27]

I must admit i dont like weighing out food so i dont, Protein i do around the size of a pack of cards, green veg i tend to just put on the plate 2 tablespoonfuils normally, i am not so precise that i have to use the scales but am pretty clear look wise as to what i can and cant eat

I agree, Cazzy. I try to be super strict about these sorts of things at first, until I can get good enough at estimating; but long-term, I think we all have better uses for our time. The important thing is to be mindful of portions and train ourselves to make good decisions. And after a while, it comes naturally.

[Jachut 487]

im seven years into this caper nd really, i have no idea how much i eat volume wise, at a sitting.

I just serve myself small portions and stop when ive had enough

[sp1587 27]

Thank you, everyone! I just had my first fill a week ago, so now that I am back to "regular" food again, I'm going to try this whole estimating and seeing when I get full thing-- I guess its the only real way to know when/if I hit my sweet spot. Sort of scary to not have the measurements there as reassurance that the intake is the right amount, but here goes nothing!

[Jenn1214 120]

I find that when I don't have good restriction, I weigh and measure more often. When I'm "in the zone", I let my band tell me when to stop eating.

[adorkbl 156]

I weigh and measure to "test" my restriction. I want to see if I will stay satiated on proper amount. I still have a tendency to slowly increase my amount if I don't monitor it closely. So I try and measure a few times a week.

[sp1587 27]

I think that's what I'm worried about. I have nightmares about eating too much and want to make sure my signal is telling me to stop when it should but need to be able to gauge that.

It's just frustrating to think about how the heck you measure out a homemade quesadilla (Greek yogurt, chicken, veggies--so good!) in a measuring cup rather than by weight :/ same

With things like green beans-- they don't fit nicely in a volume measuring cup. Oye.

[shap 24]

4oz of Protein by weigh and 2oz of carb and 2oz of veggies all by weight

[sp1587 27]

You do it all by weight?

The confusion that 2oz of veggies by weigh isn't the same as half a cup by volume.

[shap 24]

Should I not do it by weight?

[Cocoabean 430]

im seven years into this caper nd really, i have no idea how much i eat volume wise, at a sitting. I just serve myself small portions and stop when ive had enough

Same here, basically. Smaller portions have become second nature after 4 years.