Do you use a food scale?

I am an avid calorie counter but I want to make sure I am accurate. I am considering buying a small kitchen scale. Problem is, they cost a lot of money $50 or more.
What do you do to measure your food?
If you use a scale, what brand do you use? What should I be looking for in a kitchen scale?

Wed. Feb 20, 4:50pm

I just went to Amazon.com, because I couldn't believe food scales were that expensive.

I just typed in "food scale" on the search bar, and came up with a huge list. Most were around $25, but there were a couple in the $5 range!

I don't have a food scale, but want one, b/c of baking, not b/c of measuring my food - measuring things like flour, etc., are often inaccurate by volume and should be weighed. I know people do use food scales for dieting purposes, but I just don't count my calories quite that precisely.

Anyway, there are low-cost options out there. Good luck!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 5:42 PM

I use a scale all the time, especially for high-calorie items that it's easy to overdo, like meat or cheese (or candy!). I also use it like the PP for baking and cooking. I got a small dial one (not digital) at Wal-Mart for 5.67. It doesn't measure very heavy things but I've found it works for most of my needs!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 5:50 PM

I bought one on Amazon for around $20, and I use it every day to measure my cereal, yogurt, and cottage cheese. It really helps me keep my portions under control. I'd highly recommend getting one.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 6:00 PM

I would recommend digital, something with a flat surface - that way you can put a bowl on there and measure things with multiple ingredients and calculate per serving calories. Then you can also use it for mailing to weigh packages (and print postage from home and never go to the post office again!)

I love my food scale - so helpful when you're down to the last few pounds!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 6:49 PM

OP here, keep it coming

Although I mentioned the price, it's not so much of an issue if it's going to be worth it. I love the feedback so far. I'd like to get a high quality kitchen scale that has all the features mentioned.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 11:53 PM

Salter Electronic - aquatic Model # 3007

http://www.salterhousewares.com/

I use it to measure everything!!! I love it...I couldn't function without it!

Thursday, February 21, 2008, 1:49 AM

For me a fellow calorie counter a digital food scale is my most important tool. I use it many times a day.
I believe mine is a Denali? I got it from HSN and it was about 30 dollars. I love it. Function wise you can put a plate or a bowl on it and hit the tare function and it removes the weight of the plate and then counts what you put on it.
It also measures in grams. Up to 11 pounds I think.
You can also weigh something directly on the surface. And it wipes clean easy. They had a bunch of colors to choose from too. My only thing I didn't like was the back that keeps the batteries in doesn't want to stay on so I had to use tape but I was ok with that.
I had one that wasn't digital first and it was from walmart for about 8 dollars and it was ok but that is the best I could give it. It just wasn't accurate to the degree that I needed.
I even weigh my bread because so many times companies will say a roll is so many grams or ounces when in fact it can be up to 50 cal more. Very frustrating.
And on top of that I scoop out the centers of my rolls or french breads and such. It can remove up to 30 percent of your calories.
So when all is said and done, I have to say you can't go wrong with a food scate and I highly recomed an digital.
The other thing is, if you see the numbers in front of you, you can''t cheat and say oh it is only this much.
I was thinking I was using 5 teaspoons of lite coffee mate in my coffee and when I hit a rough patch and didn't lose as quickly I started to double check everything. In that one area alone when I weighed it I was using twice what I thought it was. 50 calories more than I had thought.
Hope you find exactly what you need.
Oh also you may want to buy a product that you don't have to ship back if you are displeased. I would have exchanged mine because of the battery thing if it wouldn't have cost me so much.

Thursday, February 21, 2008, 4:02 AM

PP here
Sorry I got the brand wrong I just went and checked it.
It is an Escali Model number P115W
Just in case it mattered.

Thursday, February 21, 2008, 4:19 AM

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