A food scale is a great solution to help with portion control during your weight loss journey. This post will show you how to use a food scale to lose weight and why it makes a difference.
When I first started tracking macros, I thought, “How hard could it be?” Just open the app, take a guess at the portion size, and log it, right?
Well… after stepping on the scale, I realized just how wrong I was. 😅 Lesson learned: shortcuts aren’t always the best route.
That’s when I got serious and invested in a food scale (the Etekcity one—still my go-to!). Let me tell you, weighing my food has been a game-changer for my health and body. It’s a huge part of how I keep a healthy, balanced lifestyle without feeling restricted.
After a few years of trial and error, I’ve finally nailed down the best way to use a food scale. And yeah, getting the hang of calorie counting and portion sizes can feel a little tricky at first… but don’t worry!
I’ve got plenty of tips to share that can make a real difference for your weight-loss journey—so let’s dive in!
Do I Need A Food Scale To Count Calories?
If you want accurate numbers, then a food scale is key. Sure, food labels give you a rough idea, but I honestly don’t think they’re enough on their own.
Why? Because it’s nearly impossible to remember exactly how much you’re eating each day! And relying on guesswork? That can lead to false progress—you think you’re hitting your goals, but you’re actually way off.
Having a routine of weighing your food and logging it in a journal makes all the difference. It’s a simple step that can really set you up for success!
You can also check out these 15 Weightloss Hacks That Actually Work, which you can easily adapt to your lifestyle, or read my post on How to lose Weight Without Cardio to see how lifestyle changes, like using a scale, can make a huge difference for weight loss.
Do Food Scales Help You Lose Weight?
If you're trying to lose weight and you struggle with eating in a calorie deficit, a scale will help guarantee better accuracy.
Just like with counting macros, food scales can provide accurate data that you can use to track progress...and make changes accordingly.
Plus, I've found that it helps me set a more focused intention and stick to my goals.
Why Should I Weigh My Food?
I advocate weighing your food because, as I mentioned before, this process can help lead to weight loss. Now, it is not 100% vital, but it definitely can help.
Here's exactly why and how a food scale can help you lose weight:
- It teaches your portion control: Once you start weighing your food, you'll gain a better understanding of how many calories you are really consuming. You may be surprised but those granola cereals you have in the morning actually contain 400-500 calories per bowl...and a small bowl at that. A lot of time we make assumptions, so adding a scale gives you the accuracy you need to know portion sizes.
- It creates a healthy-eating pattern: By sticking to a certain amount of calories per day, you'll fall into a healthy-eating pattern without much effort at all. Especially when you use Meal Prep Containers, next thing you know you won't need the scale anymore because you'll find that sweet spot.
How Do I Choose The Best Food Scale?
Various types of food scales exist, but I like to keep it simple. Here's what you need to keep in mind when choosing the best scale for you:
- Is it within your budget?
- Can you easily read the numbers?
- Is it big enough to hold the food you plan to weigh?
- Is it easy to clean and store?
- Is it waterproof?
I don't recommend overspending on a food scale, especially when you're starting out. Buy one that will suit your current needs (so that you'll actually use it rather than stuffing it away in the cupboard).
PRO TIP: Even if you stop using it for your weight loss journey, getting a food scale is a good investment because you can also use it for baking!
Is It Better To Weigh Food Cooked Or Raw?
Based on my weight loss journey, the best way to get the most accurate data is to weigh and log your food before cooking. When you weigh your food after it has been cooked, it leaves room for a lot of discrepancies in the numbers.
The state of raw ingredients usually changes when cooked and so does their weight. For example, a boiled potato is heavier than a raw one because it has absorbed liquid. Whereas when you air fry your potatoes...they get lighter.
That being said, I recommend that you stay consistent above all else, whether you weight it raw or cooked. That way, you'll always be comparing apples to apples.
More Healthy Meal Prep For Weight Loss:
I hope you found this post on how to use a food scale to lose weight helpful! If you want to know more about portion control and meal planning, you might want to check these blogs out!
- 7-Day Meal Prep For Weight Loss
- How To Portion Control For Weight Loss (Without Starving!)
- $75 Whole Foods Meal Plan Challenge
- How to Meal Prep – Chicken (7 Meals/Under $5)
- How to Meal Prep – Salmon
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
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