Cereal Serving Size

I'm freaking out just a little bit right now. I don't have a food scale, but I have measuring cups, and I have been using them to portion out 1.5 cups of Kashi GoLEAN crunch for the past three days.  That's been 4.5 cups, right? 3x1.5 = 4.5? Well, this morning, I looked in the box, and there's probably 2 cups left in there! There are supposed to be 8 servings, not 6!

Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I am going to measure out the remaining cereal into plastic bags to see how much is really left, but honestly! I feel lied to and cheated. I thought I was getting 300 calories for breakfast, and in reality, if my estimates are correct, its probably more like 400!

GRRRR

Well, the box says "about" 8 servings -- but you have to remember those servings are actually based on weight, more so than cups.  If you are off by a few grams or so (easy to do with those clusters) -- it really can add up

Well, a "serving" is usually .75 cups, like it says on the nutrition label. So if you have 8 servings, that's about 6 cups for the whole bag. That's not really being cheated. :P Just pay attention to what the serving size is as it says on the package.

8 servings of 1 cup = 8 cups .... if 1.5 x 3 - 4.5 + 2 = 6.5, that leaves 1.5 cups unaccounted for.... (which is what tyrdrop was saying, I think)

Companies make serving sizes based on weight. Unless you are measuring your cereal with a level and weight to equal 79.5g/2.85oz -- then it is entirely possible that you have been eating more than 1.5 cups.

Get yourself a food scale -- a decent one runs about $35 or less at Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Linens and thing

Ack! Are you really making me go get a food scale? :-( :-( :-(

Actually, I know it is something I should have.  But... I don't know. somehow i have a stigma against getting one.  Even when I measure things out, I don't let other people see me do it... I should probably just get over this irrational fear of food scales, but I feel like its part of disordered eating or something...

Anyway, I measured out the rest of the box and it turns out there was only 1.5 cups left.  That means that somewhere, 2 cups disappeared! *sigh* I have another box of the stuff, and I really like it, but perhaps I need to start considering 1.5 cups as two servings, since I measured out 6 cups instead of 8, and there should be 8 servings... so 6 cups / 8 servings = .75 cup/serving

I should just switch back to special K protein plus. 3/4 cups = 100 calories, so even if you go over by a third, its only 30 calories, not 70.

Sorry, just to clarify: I know that 1.5 cups of cereal is not a serving. Its 1.5 servings. 1 serving of any cereal is not enough for me for breakfast. I know how to calculate serving sizes. Take a look again.

Box of cereal says: 8 x 1 cup servings = 8 cups

My measurements: 4 x 1.5 cups = 6 cups

There is a 2 cup difference. That's the issue. I'm sorry to go off like this, but I'm a friggin' engineering student, I know how to do math!

Now, just so that I don't get shot down for being such a crab, I do appreciate everyone who has responded. I'm just getting frustrated when people misread my posts.

*sigh* yes. you are right. And I also recognize the difference between how that box comes out of the factory, and how when you smash up quite a bit of the big chunks, everything settles.

I think I'm just in denial about getting a food scale. I really don't want to. I can't even explain it all that well, but I really don't want to buy one! I guess I was hoping that someone else would come up with some innovative solution that did not involve a food scale. :-/

Geez, now I'm angry because I don't want to get a digital scale either. 

Instead of getting a food scale, you can always divide the box into 8 equal zip-lock bags when you first get it.  Then you know that each of these is 1 serving.

I love having a food scale, its so easy just dump stuff in a bowl and know what your eating. Maybe i am a little obssesd with it, my boyfriend thinks its really strange, but it puts my mind at rest.

The other day i found nearly twice as many aduki beans as there should've been in a can. Imagine if i'd just eaten half the can, id never have known!

xXx

I guess 100 calories per day will make a difference. Food scales are not really that expensive so I suggest getting one. They are great and easy to use. My one is digital but you can get ones that are not (which are far cheaper). However I like the fact that on my digital scale I can load up my plate with different foods and know what each separate item weighs :)

But I think I'm getting too neurotic about weighing things. I say you just measure it like theobesequioslamp suggests. That way you will be less neurotic about it :)

Estimate is better because seriously do we really want to live by the scales forever! * aaaaaaaarrrrrgh! *

i think scales are a great way of gettin to know ur measurements by eye tho, i dont use them when im in a rush but i try to most days..they are great to have if u are used to eating large portin sizes. before i started dietin i would have a FULL bowl of cereal and think, thats what it looks like on the box so that must be a portion size..haha i now know what 30g looks like thanx to my scales...i dont mind if im a few grams under or over now and again. i understand y you dont wana get them...my flate mates can eat me under the table and still look like sticks, and think im mad for measuring every thing out, i just tell them if they had my matabolisim they would too!

Original Post by tyrdrop...And I also recognize the difference between how that box comes out of the factory, and how when you smash up quite a bit of the big chunks, everything settles...

Bingo!!!

Just get a scale and be happy.

hmmm, missing cereal....maybe you have mice? (sorry, I'm in one of those moods tonite)

seriously tho, a digital scale is great. I was very surprised how small a 1 oz "serving" of meat really is.

Hmmm do you live alone? Maybe someone in your house might have taken so of your cereal.

It wasn't me!  I eat Special K Red Berries... Kashi, yuckkkk.