Great idea, desertmountain, about using the plate and scale...always returning it to zero and then adding another portion. I love it and never thought of it! I finally bought a Biggest Loser digital scale, too, which sits on the counter. Use it all the time, an easy $20 investment. I use it for determining ounces mostly, like today for determining an accurate 1 oz of cream cheese. I also use a small 1-cup measuring cup for juice, granola, mashed potatoes, etc. Keeps it accurate and looks better when I use a smaller measuring cup (instead of my large 2-cup one). I am also diligent about creating custom foods on FD instead of always relying on what I find when I search. Great ideas here! :)

I am like Stacey- I weigh my meat and measure almost everything else. I go by what the packaging states is a serving size- 1/2 cup, 1 cup etc. If it is measured by ounces then I weigh it.

Deanna

I use a digital food scale. Simple and quick, grams, ounces, whatever you tell it. Zero's out on reset with food still on it, making additions a snap. Salad: add broccoli, write down the weight, zero it, add radish, etc etc. Makes it great for weighing small amounts, like salad dressings, lite grated cheese, croutons...
Almost all food labels have serving weights in grams. If not, simple conversions tell what fluid ounces converts to, and even simpler, 1ml = 1gram for most liquids.
(it's defined by water, 1ml water = 1 gram)

One thing to be wary of is some volumes don't convert to the stated grams. For instance, the Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal label says 1 serving = x grams, and it doesn't. I called them and they said to use the volume measure, so I just break out the measuring cup.
:D

I'm confused measuring teaspoons & tablespoons. I use this link with measurements but don't know which one on it to use.

Equivalents and Measures

Example 1 teaspoon of mayo (use liquid?) or
1 teaspoon of chopped nuts (dry?)

Which chart do you use?

Thanks! Kay :)

A scale is the only accurate way to measure, since many foods will settle or are hard to measure with a cup (plus you can zero the scale on the bowl and not waste a dish measuring it).