How do you measure a 1/2 cup of a baked potato?

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ORIGINAL: CEDawson

So how do you know when you have 1/2 or 1 cup of potato when that potato is shaped like...well - like a potato? I like to cook my potatoes whole in the microwave like a "baked" potato so how can I be sure that I have the correct portion?

How about trying this:

To measure a 1/2 cup serving of potato, first fill a large liquid measuring cup with water to the 1 cup line.

Then hold your potato at one end and slowly lower the potato into the water.

When the water level reaches the 1-1/2 cup mark, take out the potato.

You can cut the potato at the water line that is left on it and the wet portion of potato will be your 1/2 cup serving!

If you need a 1 cup serving of potato, take the potato out when the water level reaches the 2 cup mark.

Viola - perfect carb serving every time!

This method also works with yams, turnips and other oddly shaped carbs.

Have fun with your carbs!

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Do I measure before or after cooking?

ORIGINAL: BMOS Dolores edited by Randilee

The umbrella statement would apply to most foods:

Measure or weigh all foods AFTER cooking.

You cook your protein, then weigh it on a scale.

You cook your carbs and then measure them out using measuring cups.

(For example, if you are allowed a 1/2 cup of oatmeal, then you begin with a 1/4 cup raw.)

The caveat to that statement would be if you were to cook fruit.

Your measure of fruit is typically is 1/2-1 cup.

If you were to cook that fruit, it will shrink down, but because of the concentrated sugars it would be very easy to over indulge, so you should measure first, then cook.

Same goes for berries; once a berry is cooked, it basically 'melts' into a syrup, and you would wind up consuming far too much.

So, with fruit you should measure and THEN cook.

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