{
  "id": 17608140,
  "title": "Are you eating more than you think? Why a food scale matters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/are-you-eating-more-than-you-think-why-a-food-scale-matters",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/best-buys/BestBuys-lifestyle/are-you-eating-more-than-you-think-why-a-food-scale-matters-1.500727573"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Food portions often appear smaller than they truly are, which can lead to inaccurate calorie and protein estimations. A 2018 study revealed that people only correctly estimated portion sizes using photographs 42 percent of the time, compared to weighed portions. This discrepancy matters for those tracking nutritional intake. Digital food scales provide an easy solution by converting visual estimations into precise gram measurements. Food scales measure ingredients in grams, enabling direct comparison with nutritional information. This is especially helpful for monitoring protein intake or adhering to structured meal plans. Consider peanut butter, nuts, or cooked rice – informal measurements such as spoonfuls or handfuls vary depending on the utensil, food type, and individual. Research in the UAE found similar discrepancies between estimated and weighed quantities. The benefits of weighing food extend beyond nutrition tracking. Weighing flour ensures recipe consistency, dividing cooked food into containers simplifies meal prep, and measuring ingredients before cooking helps in planning quantities and reducing leftovers. However, a food scale alone cannot determine nutritional content; it merely provides the weight, which must be matched with appropriate food information. Consult a healthcare professional for any concerns related to diet or medical conditions. When selecting a food scale, key features to consider include measurement increments, a tare function, capacity, and ease of use. For everyday cooking, a scale with 1g increments and a tare function is sufficient. A larger capacity, like 5kg, accommodates various household cooking tasks, while a clearer display and convenient materials like stainless steel make measurements easier to read. Some recommended food scales include the Nutricook Eko, a practical option for routine cooking tasks featuring a stainless steel platform, a 5kg capacity, and a tare function. The izeyu Rechargeable Digital Kitchen Scale is suitable for larger quantities, boasting a 15kg capacity and USB charging. For those frequently recording food intake, the RENPHO Smart Nutrition Food Scale offers Bluetooth-connected nutritional tracking, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts. Lastly, the Exzact Digital Kitchen Scale with a Mixing Bowl combines measurement with kitchen functionality, featuring a 5kg capacity, 1g increments, and a detachable bowl. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal needs, with the Nutricook Eko recommended for its all-round utility, RENPHO for app-based tracking, izeyu for larger batches, and Exzact for cooking-focused convenience.",
  "summary": "A serving of rice can look perfectly reasonable on a plate, yet its actual weight may be quite different from what we imagine. Research suggests our eyes are less reliable at judging food quantities than we might expect. In a 2018 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, participants correctly estimated portions using food photographs only 42 per cent of the time. The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}