Why is Weighing Food Necessary to Lose Weight?

This page contains affiliate links which means I may get a small commission on any link you click on.

Weighing food? do you weigh food before or after cooking? how do we use a food scale? It may sound overwhelming for beginners. Sometimes, I would skip weighing my food, thinking I could eyeball it and figure it out. That didn’t go very well. Now, I weigh everything I put in my mouth and every ingredient I use in a recipe. What do I do after weighing them? I log them in my food tracking app. I use the “MyFitnessPal” app, but you are free to choose what suits you. 

Weighing your ingredients can be super helpful when trying to lose weight. Here’s why it’s a big deal:

1. Weigh Your food to Get the Right Portions

It’s easy to underestimate how much we eat if we don’t measure. Weighing helps you control your portions so you’re not accidentally eating more than you should. Eyeballing portions can be a bit tricky. Sometimes, what seems like a handful of chips or a scoop of ice cream might actually be more than we realize. It’s like those sneaky portions that play hide and seek with us!

But here’s the trick: using a scale or measuring cups can be a game-changer. You get a clear idea of what an actual portion looks like. It’s like having your own portion police, ensuring you’re not accidentally diving into more than you intended.

Think about it as your kitchen detective work, helping you keep those portions in check without feeling like you’re on a strict diet. It’s not about restricting yourself but rather about understanding how much you’re actually eating. Plus, it can be kind of fun to see the actual size of a serving compared to what we might usually dish out without thinking twice. 

2. Know Your Calories

Different foods have different amounts of calories. Weighing ingredients gives you a more accurate idea of how many calories you consume. Eyeballing it might lead you to consume more than you think.

Picture this: you’ve got a plate of your favorite pasta, and you’re eyeballing the portions, thinking you’re keeping it in check. But here’s the plot twist: that “small” serving might actually be way more calories than you bargained for.

Here’s the deal: every food has its own calorie story. For example, a handful of nuts might seem innocent enough, but in reality, it packs a pretty calorie-heavy punch. 

That’s where weighing things out steps in as your calorie superhero. You weigh your chicken breast, your rice, your veggies—basically the whole squad—to get an accurate calorie headcount. It’s like having a backstage pass to the food world, where you actually know the numbers behind what you’re eating. 

Think of it as cracking the calorie code without needing a math degree. It’s not about becoming a calorie-obsessed guru but more like understanding the real deal behind the foods you enjoy. This way, you can navigate your meals without any surprising plot twists in your calorie count.

3. Stay on Track

Every calorie counts when trying to lose weight. Weighing your food keeps you aware of what you’re eating, making it easier to stick to your goals.

It’s like going on a road trip: you’ve got a destination in mind, and every turn counts to get you there. When it comes to losing weight, it’s kind of the same deal with those calories.

Imagine you’re making a killer salad, throwing in all the goodies. Now, you might think you’re keeping it light, but those innocent-looking toppings, like cheese or nuts, can sneakily tip the calorie scale. They’re like the undercover agents in your salad bowl!

That’s where weighing things out comes into play. It’s like having a GPS for your food journey. You measure your chicken, your greens, and even that dressing to keep a tab on your intake. It’s not about turning into a food detective but more like having a friendly reminder of where you stand on your path.

Think of it as having a food budget—you’re aware of what you’re spending (or eating, in this case). It helps you stay focused on your goals without feeling like you’re missing out on the good stuff. So, while every calorie might count, weighing your food helps you steer in the right direction without feeling like you’re on a strict diet.

4.Consistency is Key

If you’re following a diet plan, consistency matters. Weighing your ingredients ensures you always have the exact portion sizes, which helps maintain a calorie deficit for weight loss.

Consistency is like the trusty sidekick in your weight loss journey. You know, like when you’re trying to nail a recipe and need the right ingredients in the right amounts every time.

Picture this: you’re whipping up your favorite meal for the umpteenth time, and eyeballing the portions feels like a breeze. But here’s the catch: that inconsistency might throw your calorie game off balance. It’s like trying to hit a bullseye blindfolded—possible, but definitely more challenging!

That’s where weighing your ingredients becomes your superhero move. You measure your oats for breakfast or that scoop of peanut butter for your smoothie bowl. It’s like having your weight loss coach ensure you stick to your plan without the guesswork.

Think of it as keeping your routine intact without feeling like you’re in food jail. You’re not chained to the scale; it’s more like having a reliable buddy keeping you on track. So, while life might throw curveballs, having consistent portion sizes thanks to weighing your food is like having your secret weapon for staying on that calorie-deficit path.

5. Avoid Surprises:

Guessing portion sizes can lead to eating more than you intended. Weighing stops those sneaky extra calories from creeping into your diet.

One more thing to consider: is it better to weigh food using a food scale or measuring cups and spoons?

It’s like choosing between two different kitchen superheroes: the food scale and the measuring cups/spoons.
The food scale gives you exact measurements in grams or ounces. It’s all about accuracy, making sure you’ve got the exact amount of flour, sugar, or veggies every single time.

On the other hand, those trusty measuring cups and spoons are your laid-back pals in the cooking world, allowing you to scoop and pour without worrying too much about precision.

Now, which one’s better? Well, it all boils down to the situation. If you’re after consistency and precision, especially for things like baking or strict dietary needs, the food scale takes the crown. It’s like the scientist in the lab, ensuring everything’s measured to a tee.

But if you’re whipping up something more casual or comfortable with a tad of variation, those measuring cups and spoons might be your go-to. They’re like the cool friends who are there to guide you without being too strict. So, it’s like having two kitchen pals—each with their own strengths. You can play it by ear depending on whether you’re in a precise, measure-it-all mood or a more relaxed, go-with-the-flow vibe!

Should we weigh our food before or after cooking?

Whether you weigh your food before or after cooking depends on personal preference and convenience. However, weighing food before cooking is generally recommended for more accurate tracking of portion sizes and nutritional content.

Here’s why:

1. Accuracy in tracking: Weighing food before cooking gives you a more precise measurement of the raw ingredients. 
2. Changes in weight: Cooking can alter the weight of food due to factors like moisture loss, evaporation, or changes in volume. Weighing food after cooking might not reflect the original portion size accurately.

However, there are situations where weighing after cooking might be more practical:

1. Recipes that require cooked measurements: Some recipes specify measurements for cooked ingredients. In such cases, weighing after cooking is necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

For example, imagine you’re making your grandmother’s famous spaghetti. She’s got this secret sauce that she insists needs two cups of cooked pasta, not the raw stuff.

So there you are, trying to channel her kitchen wisdom, and she’s all about the pasta after it’s been through its boiling bath. It’s like she’s got this Italian magic that only works with the exact amount of perfectly cooked pasta.

And you’re there, post-boil, casually tossing the spaghetti onto the scale, trying not to let a single noodle escape. Grandma’s recipe is specific – it’s all about the cooked pasta, and the flavor just won’t be the same if you don’t nail that precise two cups of the soft, steamy goodness.

So, you go with the flow, measure it up after cooking, and hope that by following her rule of using cooked measurements only, you’ll capture a bit of her kitchen magic in that spaghetti dish. Because let’s face it, when Grandma says cooked measurements, that’s the secret ingredient you can’t mess with!

        2. Convenience: Sometimes, weighing food after cooking might be easier or more practical, especially when dealing with large portions or when cooking several items together.

For example, sometimes, when I cook a large family meal with a large amount of ingredients, it’s easier for me to weigh the food I am willing to eat alone. Let’s say I cooked chicken breasts grilled in the oven, along with air-fried potatoes. I prepared and seasoned them and laid them in a big roasting pan. I put my plate on the food scale, then put some chicken, weigh that, and then on the same plate, I weigh the potatoes.

Also, – and this is what I usually do to be on the safe side- when I log my food, either on paper or in an app, I add any ingredients I used to cook the chicken and potatoes with. If I used oil, I add oil; if I used BBQ sauce, I add BBQ sauce, and so on. So yeah, keep this in mind.

In a nutshell, weighing your ingredients is like having a better grip on what you’re eating. It helps you stick to your goals by keeping you in the know about how much food you’re really putting on your plate