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Nutritional scales

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
SusieGriff

SusieGriff

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I'v been looking for reasonally priced scales for calculating carbs etc. I've seen so many, but a lot say that the readings are not 'true' and no good for T1's. can anyone suggest a good one that really works, I'll be new to carb counting in a few weeks and I though (as my maths aren't brilliant) a set of scales would be a help.
 
I got a set of digital scales off eBay for a fiver, doesn't actually calculate the carbs as such just the weight, you then need to work it out yourself.....


There are scales out there that can work it out though, from pre programmed values for certain foods............but for me personally, it is not that tricky to do....
 
nomorecakes said:
I'v been looking for reasonally priced scales for calculating carbs etc. I've seen so many, but a lot say that the readings are not 'true' and no good for T1's. can anyone suggest a good one that really works, I'll be new to carb counting in a few weeks and I though (as my maths aren't brilliant) a set of scales would be a help.
Click to expand...

These are recommended by a lot of our members:

Salter 1406 Nutri Weigh Slim Dietary Computer Scale

🙂
 
Northerner said:
These are recommended by a lot of our members:

Salter 1406 Nutri Weigh Slim Dietary Computer Scale

🙂
Click to expand...

Hi,
I looked at these when you gave me the link in another thread, I'm a bit dubious as I read this following review:-
quote "Scales are very sleek and easy use to use HOWEVER I bought this as I am a type 1 diabetic and thought it would assist with my carb counting. When I measured cooked pasta on the scales it showed a big difference in carbohydrate value to the book I also use 'carbs and cals'. I would say that for more general use it's fine but not when you need to be precise with nutritional value. I contacted Salter about this difference and there reply was 'After further investigation we would like to inform you that there are variations dependant on the tables you use and how the item such as carbohydrates are calculated. It is for this reason that we included a warning on the packaging advising that this product would not really be suitable for diabetics who would need to use it to calculate their insulin intake'. Perhaps this needs to be be more clearly reflected in the product description. Unfortunately this time I have had to return the goods. " unqote.

what do you think?:confused:
 
novorapidboi26 said:
I got a set of digital scales off eBay for a fiver, doesn't actually calculate the carbs as such just the weight, you then need to work it out yourself.....


There are scales out there that can work it out though, from pre programmed values for certain foods............but for me personally, it is not that tricky to do....
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, I've got an ordinary set of digi kitchen scales, but I was looking for the carbounting ones. thanks
 
nomorecakes said:
Hi,
I looked at these when you gave me the link in another thread, I'm a bit dubious as I read this following review:-
quote "Scales are very sleek and easy use to use HOWEVER I bought this as I am a type 1 diabetic and thought it would assist with my carb counting. When I measured cooked pasta on the scales it showed a big difference in carbohydrate value to the book I also use 'carbs and cals'. I would say that for more general use it's fine but not when you need to be precise with nutritional value. I contacted Salter about this difference and there reply was 'After further investigation we would like to inform you that there are variations dependant on the tables you use and how the item such as carbohydrates are calculated. It is for this reason that we included a warning on the packaging advising that this product would not really be suitable for diabetics who would need to use it to calculate their insulin intake'. Perhaps this needs to be be more clearly reflected in the product description. Unfortunately this time I have had to return the goods. " unqote.

what do you think?:confused:
Click to expand...

seem like a lot of cash for something so unreliable, don't be scared to write things down and do the math on paper, if you can call it math, eventually it will come naturally....
 
novorapidboi26 said:
seem like a lot of cash for something so unreliable, don't be scared to write things down and do the math on paper, if you can call it math, eventually it will come naturally....
Click to expand...

I'm sure it will, lol, but I know my calculations, is it really easy? so many people say they got confused at first. I have sent for a book I was recommended about carbs and cals. I want, at least to know a bit aout it before I get put on it.
susie
 
Hi, I'm just going off the recommendation from people here (mostly parents of T1 children) for the scales. The reply from salter sounds like a general disclaimer that most companies put out about their products with relation to diabetes, to avoid the possibility of litigation.
 
I have got one of those nutriscales. not that particular model though. When I weighed the pasta it didn't look the same amount. I realised that the bowl didn't fit on the scales properly and that's why it didn't weigh it right. When I used a dessert plate on the scales, it worked well. I don't use those scales anymore. I just use normal scales and do the carb counting in my head or on my mobile.
 
i would say if you've already got electronic scales that you can set back to zero with food on (on mine thats called 'tare' for some reason) then dont bother to buy anymoe. The mathes really isnt that hard - honest!

Weigh your food (after you've cooked it if you are going to) and note the weight (I have a little note book for this as I have a bad memory for numbers) Look up the amount of carbs per 100g of the item (as this is the usual figure given) either on the packet, in a book, on the net etc. Divide that number by 100 (to get the amount per 1g) then multiply the amount per 1g by the weight of the food. This bit is the bit the scales would (allegedly) do

When you have done this for all the components of your meal, add them together and divide by the ratio you have (hopefully) been told to use.

say the Meal came to a total of 100 carbs (for easy maths) and you are on a ratio of 1 units per 10g of carbs - you divide 100 by 10 and you would inject 10 units🙂

The bit I have underlined is the bit the scales do for you - youve still got to do the rest so i dont think its worth buying extra scales (and you cant use them when you go out anyway:D

It IS scary at first - but if you write it all down it will help (I still do😉)
 
MeanMom said:
i would say if you've already got electronic scales that you can set back to zero with food on (on mine thats called 'tare' for some reason) then dont bother to buy anymoe. The mathes really isnt that hard - honest!

Weigh your food (after you've cooked it if you are going to) and note the weight (I have a little note book for this as I have a bad memory for numbers) Look up the amount of carbs per 100g of the item (as this is the usual figure given) either on the packet, in a book, on the net etc. Divide that number by 100 (to get the amount per 1g) then multiply the amount per 1g by the weight of the food. This bit is the bit the scales would (allegedly) do

When you have done this for all the components of your meal, add them together and divide by the ratio you have (hopefully) been told to use.

say the Meal came to a total of 100 carbs (for easy maths) and you are on a ratio of 1 units per 10g of carbs - you divide 100 by 10 and you would inject 10 units🙂

The bit I have underlined is the bit the scales do for you - youve still got to do the rest so i dont think its worth buying extra scales (and you cant use them when you go out anyway:D

It IS scary at first - but if you write it all down it will help (I still do😉)
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, easy to understand answer!! that's what I like, It does sound quite simple, I suppose the thought of it's more daunting that it actually is. and yes I have the 'tare' function on my scales. fingers crossed !!
 
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