Weighing food raw

[reeree726]

I know you say to measure your food when it is raw. Many times, for example, when you're cooking a whole turkey breast or cooking for several meals all at one time, it is not possible to weight the food raw. Is this a problem with the accuracy of the portions?

[MrsPeel]

Hi, reeree726!

Yes, it is a problem - you must weigh your foods raw on the 1PD plan (with the exception of some squashes). It is one of the basic principles of the plan as Dr. Cohen has devised it. Maybe a moderator can add more enlightening info?

It's not at all impossible to weigh your foods raw, but it does mean you can't do things the way you did before the diet, i.e., cooking a whole turkey breast at once. Ground meats are much easier to deal with - or if you want to do a whole turkey breast, try slicing & weighing your portion raw, but put it back with the entire breast to cook. You'll know your portion is the pre-sliced part.
When cooking meals for both myself and my husband, before he was on the plan, I weighed my food out and then always cooked mine on the left side of the pan and his on the right, or handle side. Steamed veggies can be divided with another veggie - I would separate our portions of cauliflower with a single asparagus spear!

Hope this helps - I can tell you that it's all worth it!! :)

[Bronwyn]

As usual, wonderful and accurate advice from Mrs. Peel. Very good suggestions too. I also cook my food at the same time as for my husband and son and either separate mine by cutting into smaller pieces, or with a food divider (as in the steamer), or use a separate pan. I'm VERY tired of the extra dishes, but I'm sure I'll never be tired of all the compliments I'm getting lately on my looks!!

[cyberella]

brony, u're funny girl!! :P:love::love5:{violin}

[GailStout]

Hi all -- Yes, weighing your food can be an interesting part of the diet; it takes organization and willingness to experiment. I never quite figured out how to do a roast (whether turkey, chicken, or meat) and still do 1PD. We've been eating quite a lot of steaks and I've learned to buy smaller size portions of turkey -- maybe just turkey tenderloins or turkey breast which I then slice as Bronwyn suggested above. I also found a couple of divided microwavable bowls in which to steam vegetables -- mine on one side and everyone else's on the other.

We eat a lot of asparagus, which is easy to divide -- just point your portion in the opposite direction for cooking! I also would slice things like yellow squash into a different shape than the rest (maybe a half circle rather than a whole circle). I did this for two reasons: 1) easy to sort out at serving time and 2) TWICE as much (at least in appearance) food for me if it was sliced into half circles than into whole circles. You can tell that APPARENT portion size was very important to me.

When we bought steaks, I'd try to find thin cut steaks, so that when I weighed my portion size it would actually look bigger on the plate when it was served! :-) You go, ladies!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Reeree726

The reason you need to weigh your food raw is for accuracy. Remember on the 1st Personal Diet Program, EVERY SINGLE GRAM DOES COUNT!

Different foods change weights in different ways when cooked differently and this is why RAW weight is so much more accurate to ensure that you get precisely the correct portion size for your personal body.

Yes, this does call for going the extra mile... see it as an investment that you are making to ensure the very best results that your body can give you! {cheerleader}

[lmb]

I eat the same foods everu day. It donesn't bother me and make life SIMPLE as far as prep goes. I buy a big thing of hamburger meat and a bag od chicken breasts. At the beginning of the week i portion out burger patties and stack. Then I cut and portion out chicken and put them into snadwhich baggies. Thay way I can freeze what I won;t eat that week and have the exact portion I need when ready to cook. I don;t have to mess with cutting and measuring protein at each meal. I do measure the veggies, but that's quick.

One more thing I did was switch my crackers to oyster crackers. The premium ones have the exact measuremens etc as the regular crackers and feels like A LOT more. So I can have 19 oyster crackers which = 2 servings. I also toast them up to be crispier!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Imb

I like the way that you divide your proteins up into little bags, that makes for very clever and easy use during the week {goodjob}

About the hamburger meat - I'm hoping that you don't buy hamburger meat off the shelf, but rather that you choose lean meat, ask your butcher to trim off all the fat and then to grind the meat for you?

You may choose between chicken and meat if you prefer these options, but we recommend that every now and then you have a bit of fish for variety too :flirt:

I'm glad that you are enjoying the oyster crackers ~ Happy Slimming! {cheerleader}

[Hippychick]

Hi:hii:
I just lost my post in the middle of typing?? I'll try again. I have no idea where it went? I just wanted to say thank you for all the great ideas on weighing food, herbs, crackers, food prep, organization, etc. This Forum is great. I've been on the program for a week now and I'm so happy. :party3: I look forward to going on line and seeing what's new.Thanks everyone for contributing. {grouphug1}
Lynett

[Hugentobler]

Hippychick- Welcome. It looks like you have done well this first week! Keep up the hard work.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Lynnette

WELL DONE! On already having already ticked off 7.1 pounds {cheerleader}
{goodjob} & WAY TO GO!

I'm glad that you are enjoying the Forum!
It's here for all the Diet Buddies like yourself to enjoy...
{grouphug1}