When is a Cup of Lettuce a Cup of Lettuce??

ScrapDragon · 07-13-2007, 11:08 AM

OK, I know this is a stupid question ... but

what is a cup of lettuce?

If I cut up romaine, do I pack it in a measuring cup? Or not? Lettuce is pretty springy and I don't know how much "air" I'm supposed to leave in that cup.

I just want to make sure that I'm not over or under measuring my lettuce.

Thanks!

Fearless Sunflower · 07-13-2007, 11:14 AM

I can't eat lettuce, it makes me really ill, but I think you are supposed to just "toss" it into a cup and measure that, I dont think you are supposed to pack it. I might be wrong though!

AiricaMarie · 07-13-2007, 11:27 AM

I use a 2 cup measuring cup, and measure about a cup and a quarter (sometimes a half)

silversunfire · 07-14-2007, 06:53 PM

Don't be so concerned about having an exact measurement with lettuce. It is more than 1/2 fiber. The new way of thinking is carbs, not cups with veggies.

Where is sjmiller when we need her?

Lovemylife · 07-16-2007, 01:18 PM

I bought a large bag the other day and it said there were only 6 cups in the bag in the nutritional info, which to me meant I could eat a lot for my servings. However, I am losing and I never ever measure or even think about how much lettuce I am eating unless it is spinach (it can get compacted down easily and then is just too much for me to hold).

dasiey · 07-16-2007, 02:01 PM

I always eat a handful

JJLove · 07-16-2007, 03:16 PM

I never measure the low carb veggies either. I eat all the lettuce I want and it has worked out great. Onions, tomatoes, carrots are a different story though as they are higher carb.

dasiey · 07-16-2007, 05:30 PM

I do not eat carrots

cleochatra · 07-16-2007, 05:33 PM

According to DANDR, 3 cups of lettuce is maximum. That said, a loosely packed cup is the answer.

Too much lettuce in induction could trigger blood sugar issues and is precisely the reason the good doctor put a moratorium on going nuts with lettuce and other vegetables.

According to the book (just checked) carrots are not allowed until OWL.

baindegael · 07-16-2007, 06:05 PM

a handful is a cup, loosely packed.

hpnodat1 · 07-17-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrapDragon

OK, I know this is a stupid question ... but

what is a cup of lettuce?

If I cut up romaine, do I pack it in a measuring cup? Or not? Lettuce is pretty springy and I don't know how much "air" I'm supposed to leave in that cup.

I just want to make sure that I'm not over or under measuring my lettuce.

Thanks!

I dont think it is a supid question at all.I agree I also had the same question, I don't think anyone really knows the answer to the question except for Dr. A. He said in the book for salad to be loosely packed. I really don't know exactly what that means, I guess it is what we would consider loosely packed. My interpretation of loosely packed is when I take my 1 cup measuring cup and dip it into the bag or bowl until it is full of salad and then knock what is off the top. What ever is left in the cup after that is 1 cup of loosely packed salad. What would have been nice is if Dr. A had given us a weight to work with when it comes to salad. I really hope I have helped you. Good luck low carbing!

silversunfire,

Quote:

Don't be so concerned about having an exact measurement with lettuce. It is more than 1/2 fiber. The new way of thinking is carbs, not cups with veggies.

How exactly are we supposed to count how many carbs that is in lettuce with out measuring the cups first?

Ladybugg · 07-19-2007, 04:53 AM

This might give you some idea. That's a regular sized dinner plate that the lettuce is sitting on, by the way.

3_ounces_lettuce.jpg

I saw this on another thread

Draxlin · 07-19-2007, 11:42 AM

I wouldn't worry about it at all. The nutrient value of lettuce is very low. When I have salads I usually eat between 1/4 to 1/2 a bag of the prepacked stuff.
The thing to watch out for is what you put on it. I use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and carbs can add up fast. Two tbls is alot less then you think; you'll see if you actually messure it out.

2big4mysize · 07-19-2007, 03:12 PM

good for you asking. Many folk miss the point that the restrictions on the amounts of veggies in induction is a portion size control issue too besides just the carb control.
as it says in DANDR losely packed cup is the seving size.

you can easily see why losely packed is the correct answer. if you look at a cup of taco shredded lettuce, a cup of premixed salad lettuce, or 1/2 a bag of the stuff there is a big difference in the amount of lettuce between them and while the small carb/cal count difference since very insignificant the control it takes to stop at only 3 cups a day is. Atkins induction is about us regaining control over our addiction to foods. Control the portions and the tyopes of foods from Day one and we have a much better chance of making it to goal with the least amount of problems.

Besides it is only 14 days till you can add another 5 grams of carbs of those veggies back to your WOE.

happy low carbing.

cleochatra · 07-19-2007, 05:08 PM

I love you, 2big!

emeraldskye · 07-19-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladybugg

This might give you some idea. That's a regular sized dinner plate that the lettuce is sitting on, by the way.

Attachment 5991

I saw this on another thread

So according to this 1 Cup= .5oz

Good to know!

2big4mysize · 07-19-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emeraldskye

So according to this 1 Cup= .5oz

Good to know!

that is a weight oz not a volume ounce and will change with each variety of lettuce. For example according to Fresh Express salad bags if you got the italian mix then it is about 1.66 ounces per cup, romaine heart lettuce then 1 cups weighs 1.3 ounces. if you got the Riviera mix then it is about an ounce a cup

BTW the volume ounces of lettuce for those 3 cups in the picture would be 18 ounces.

heathershubby · 08-03-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasiey

I always eat a handful

omg I thought I was the only one you must be a rachel ray fan too lol

Thats what I do its easy and a cup of lettuce is 1 carb to 2 carbs a little more or less is not going to make a huge deal. When the book talks about 2 cups of salad they are not talking about lettuce.

Debralynn · 08-04-2007, 12:24 AM

I find a good trick is to always use the same size salad bowl. I use one that holds just over a cup, and leaves just enough room for another veggie and dressing. It keeps me consistant with my greens and I never overdo it. (it is a corelle 18 oz soup/cereal bowl)

Mavis · 08-04-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debralynn

I find a good trick is to always use the same size salad bowl. I use one that holds just over a cup, and leaves just enough room for another veggie and dressing. It keeps me consistant with my greens and I never overdo it. (it is a corelle 18 oz soup/cereal bowl)

I use a Corelle bowl too. They are the perfect size for salads.

Peony · 08-04-2007, 08:18 AM

I also use Correlle, but 18 oz is actually more than 2 cups. But I fill that bowl up. The flatter soup bowl is also the same size, just more spread out. But I really don't worry about the amount of lettuce. I also use low carb dressings and don't worry about them either--but then I'm one of those who thinks getting enough calories is important!

Mavis · 08-04-2007, 09:17 AM

I don't worry about the amount of lettuce either. Some days I can eat a whole head of hydroponic Boston lettuce in one salad and that is only 4 or 5 carbs. I mix it with the allowed amount of olives, a half an avocado chopped garlic, a can of tuna and some low or zero carb salad dressing.

I have 1 of these per day if I can for lunch and at dinner I will have 1 cup of cooked allowed veggies with my meat.

countryrozes · 08-13-2007, 01:57 PM

I just cut up some romaine lettuce and loosely fill a cup.

bailey42 · 08-13-2007, 04:01 PM

Geez I guess you got a lot of responses to that question huh? I also am just starting induction and what I understood was it was 1 cup loosley lettuce but I was not sure if the salad garnishes were included in that cup so i got a 1 cup measuring cup and put a few slices of cucumber 3 very tiny cherry tomatos and then losse lettuce on top. Then I put that into a baggie and did up about 4 of these baggies so I can just dump them into a bowl when I am in a hurry. When I dump them into a bowl I then add 1 hard boiled egg chopped up and some chicken chunks and dressing. I wonder if I could have the 1 cup of lettuce and add the cukes and tomato after? But I wanted to be safe so I counted it as part of the 1 cup. Any thoughts on that? Deb

2big4mysize · 08-13-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bailey42

Geez I guess you got a lot of responses to that question huh? I also am just starting induction and what I understood was it was 1 cup loosley lettuce but I was not sure if the salad garnishes were included in that cup so i got a 1 cup measuring cup and put a few slices of cucumber 3 very tiny cherry tomatos and then losse lettuce on top. Then I put that into a baggie and did up about 4 of these baggies so I can just dump them into a bowl when I am in a hurry. When I dump them into a bowl I then add 1 hard boiled egg chopped up and some chicken chunks and dressing. I wonder if I could have the 1 cup of lettuce and add the cukes and tomato after? But I wanted to be safe so I counted it as part of the 1 cup. Any thoughts on that? Deb

all veggies get measured. you can have 3 cups of the veggies on the salad list or 2 cups from that list and 1 from the other if you are doing DANDR 2002. SInce you do 4 cups I'm guessing you are doing Atkins Esssentials the book written after Dr Atkins died. it has 4 cups of veggies not the 3 he put in DANDR induction.

bailey42 · 08-14-2007, 04:28 AM

Oh no, I don't eat all four cups in one day, I made them up for a few days I meant

I eat 2 of the salads in a day then 1/2 cup other vege's at dinner. I cannot get the scale moving for some reason and am getting frustrated. It is not time for TOM and I have been following program to a T. Yesterday I ate:
Breakfast: 1 egg plus 1 bacon and 1 slice tomato.
Snack: String cheese
Lunch: 1 cup of salad with allowed vege's weighed in with chicken chunks added and 1 boiled egg chopped up
Snack:diet jello cup
Dinner:Large Hamburger with 1 oz cheese 1/2 cup tomato slices & 1 cup of salad with allowed vege's weighed in

2big4mysize · 08-14-2007, 06:30 PM

what did you add as the fat to your lunch? remember Atkins is a ketogenic plan ( fats should be the majority of your cal intake)

How long has the scale not been moving? weight loss isn't a linear affair. We have some days of loss many days of plateau and even some upward days but the overal journey will be downward. Have you checked your inches lostto see how much fat mass you have shed as you morph your body doing Atkins shedding fat adding lean mass and that darn fluid mass in a constant state of flux? We can shed 2 pounds of fat add 2 pounds of fluid and muscle and have the scales say NOpe you didn't lose anything but the tape measure will show you inches of fat gone for good.

What you doing for your mandatory exercise part of your Atkins?

bailey42 · 08-15-2007, 04:11 AM

Thanks for your reply, I added 2 T of full fat ranch dressing to the salad at lunch but honestly no exercise as of yet. I did try a Carb addicts way of eating yesterday though and the scale was down a pound this morning. The only bad thng is my sugar was up. I did have a few cookies so I am sure that had something to do with it. But maybe my calories were to low the week before and that is why I lost when I ate a reward meal

Deb
Definetly will be starting exercise today though.

07-13-2007, 11:08 AM	#1
ScrapDragon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 647 Gallery: ScrapDragon Stats: 184/159/135 WOE: Atkins Low Carb Start Date: This Time - September 2007	When is a Cup of Lettuce a Cup of Lettuce?? OK, I know this is a stupid question ... but what is a cup of lettuce? If I cut up romaine, do I pack it in a measuring cup? Or not? Lettuce is pretty springy and I don't know how much "air" I'm supposed to leave in that cup. I just want to make sure that I'm not over or under measuring my lettuce. Thanks!

07-19-2007, 03:12 PM	#14
2big4mysize Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,959 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	good for you asking. Many folk miss the point that the restrictions on the amounts of veggies in induction is a portion size control issue too besides just the carb control. as it says in DANDR losely packed cup is the seving size. you can easily see why losely packed is the correct answer. if you look at a cup of taco shredded lettuce, a cup of premixed salad lettuce, or 1/2 a bag of the stuff there is a big difference in the amount of lettuce between them and while the small carb/cal count difference since very insignificant the control it takes to stop at only 3 cups a day is. Atkins induction is about us regaining control over our addiction to foods. Control the portions and the tyopes of foods from Day one and we have a much better chance of making it to goal with the least amount of problems. Besides it is only 14 days till you can add another 5 grams of carbs of those veggies back to your WOE. happy low carbing. __________________ 5/04 goalie Hashimoto hypothyroid diagnoised 02 kimkins info 2BIG's BLOG If you are or were a member of kimkins and live in San Diego County please help

07-13-2007, 11:14 AM	#2
Fearless Sunflower Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rolling on the River - My Pig is Carb Free! Posts: 338 Gallery: Fearless Sunflower Stats: 246/238/140 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: February 1, 2006	I can't eat lettuce, it makes me really ill, but I think you are supposed to just "toss" it into a cup and measure that, I dont think you are supposed to pack it. I might be wrong though!

07-13-2007, 11:27 AM	#3
AiricaMarie Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 588 Gallery: AiricaMarie Stats: 334/285/165 I'm the one with curly hair-gray shirt WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 12, 2007	I use a 2 cup measuring cup, and measure about a cup and a quarter (sometimes a half)

07-14-2007, 06:53 PM	#4
silversunfire MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,174 Gallery: silversunfire Stats: 210/204.8/180(at first) WOE: Higher fat,mod protein,low carbs	Don't be so concerned about having an exact measurement with lettuce. It is more than 1/2 fiber. The new way of thinking is carbs, not cups with veggies. Where is sjmiller when we need her?

07-16-2007, 01:18 PM	#5
Lovemylife Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 35 Gallery: Lovemylife	I bought a large bag the other day and it said there were only 6 cups in the bag in the nutritional info, which to me meant I could eat a lot for my servings. However, I am losing and I never ever measure or even think about how much lettuce I am eating unless it is spinach (it can get compacted down easily and then is just too much for me to hold).

07-16-2007, 02:01 PM	#6
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	I always eat a handful

07-16-2007, 03:16 PM	#7
JJLove Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 41 Gallery: JJLove Stats: 5'5" 170/152/156/135 WOE: Low Carb/High Fiber/No Processed	I never measure the low carb veggies either. I eat all the lettuce I want and it has worked out great. Onions, tomatoes, carrots are a different story though as they are higher carb.

07-16-2007, 05:30 PM	#8
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	I do not eat carrots

07-16-2007, 05:33 PM	#9
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7,842 Gallery: cleochatra Stats: 350/264/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 1, 2008	According to DANDR, 3 cups of lettuce is maximum. That said, a loosely packed cup is the answer. Too much lettuce in induction could trigger blood sugar issues and is precisely the reason the good doctor put a moratorium on going nuts with lettuce and other vegetables. According to the book (just checked) carrots are not allowed until OWL.

07-16-2007, 06:05 PM	#10
baindegael Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Heaven's Waiting Room Posts: 10,755 Gallery: baindegael Stats: Highest 323-5'9" 282/200.0/165 WOE: Low Carb- Veggies are my friends Start Date: 10/29/2003	a handful is a cup, loosely packed.

07-19-2007, 04:53 AM	#12
Ladybugg MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,264 Gallery: Ladybugg Stats: 215/188/140 - 5'2" 42yrs WOE: Low Carb < 20g Start Date: which time? :)	This might give you some idea. That's a regular sized dinner plate that the lettuce is sitting on, by the way. 3_ounces_lettuce.jpg I saw this on another thread

07-19-2007, 11:42 AM	#13
Draxlin Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 21 Gallery: Draxlin Stats: 327/260/220 WOE: Atkins Start Date: April 2004	I wouldn't worry about it at all. The nutrient value of lettuce is very low. When I have salads I usually eat between 1/4 to 1/2 a bag of the prepacked stuff. The thing to watch out for is what you put on it. I use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and carbs can add up fast. Two tbls is alot less then you think; you'll see if you actually messure it out.

07-19-2007, 05:08 PM	#15
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7,842 Gallery: cleochatra Stats: 350/264/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 1, 2008	I love you, 2big!

08-04-2007, 12:24 AM	#19
Debralynn MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 1,698 Gallery: Debralynn Stats: 222/147/135 WOE: Atkins, chasing after my 2 and 4 year old boys! Start Date: (1997, 2002, 2005) re-start June 1, 2007	I find a good trick is to always use the same size salad bowl. I use one that holds just over a cup, and leaves just enough room for another veggie and dressing. It keeps me consistant with my greens and I never overdo it. (it is a corelle 18 oz soup/cereal bowl)

08-04-2007, 08:18 AM	#21
Peony Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Central PA Posts: 855 Gallery: Peony Stats: Down 26 WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 2007	I also use Correlle, but 18 oz is actually more than 2 cups. But I fill that bowl up. The flatter soup bowl is also the same size, just more spread out. But I really don't worry about the amount of lettuce. I also use low carb dressings and don't worry about them either--but then I'm one of those who thinks getting enough calories is important!

08-04-2007, 09:17 AM	#22
Mavis Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 853 Gallery: Mavis	I don't worry about the amount of lettuce either. Some days I can eat a whole head of hydroponic Boston lettuce in one salad and that is only 4 or 5 carbs. I mix it with the allowed amount of olives, a half an avocado chopped garlic, a can of tuna and some low or zero carb salad dressing. I have 1 of these per day if I can for lunch and at dinner I will have 1 cup of cooked allowed veggies with my meat.

08-13-2007, 01:57 PM	#23
countryrozes Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 41 Gallery: countryrozes Stats: 170/164/139 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Jan 2008	I just cut up some romaine lettuce and loosely fill a cup.

08-13-2007, 04:01 PM	#24
bailey42 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 625 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: bailey42 Stats: 238/228/lean muscle & low fat(160ish) WOE: CAD/CALP Start Date: 10-20-08	Geez I guess you got a lot of responses to that question huh? I also am just starting induction and what I understood was it was 1 cup loosley lettuce but I was not sure if the salad garnishes were included in that cup so i got a 1 cup measuring cup and put a few slices of cucumber 3 very tiny cherry tomatos and then losse lettuce on top. Then I put that into a baggie and did up about 4 of these baggies so I can just dump them into a bowl when I am in a hurry. When I dump them into a bowl I then add 1 hard boiled egg chopped up and some chicken chunks and dressing. I wonder if I could have the 1 cup of lettuce and add the cukes and tomato after? But I wanted to be safe so I counted it as part of the 1 cup. Any thoughts on that? Deb

08-14-2007, 04:28 AM	#26
bailey42 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 625 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: bailey42 Stats: 238/228/lean muscle & low fat(160ish) WOE: CAD/CALP Start Date: 10-20-08	Oh no, I don't eat all four cups in one day, I made them up for a few days I meant I eat 2 of the salads in a day then 1/2 cup other vege's at dinner. I cannot get the scale moving for some reason and am getting frustrated. It is not time for TOM and I have been following program to a T. Yesterday I ate: Breakfast: 1 egg plus 1 bacon and 1 slice tomato. Snack: String cheese Lunch: 1 cup of salad with allowed vege's weighed in with chicken chunks added and 1 boiled egg chopped up Snack:diet jello cup Dinner:Large Hamburger with 1 oz cheese 1/2 cup tomato slices & 1 cup of salad with allowed vege's weighed in

08-14-2007, 06:30 PM	#27
2big4mysize Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,959 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	what did you add as the fat to your lunch? remember Atkins is a ketogenic plan ( fats should be the majority of your cal intake) How long has the scale not been moving? weight loss isn't a linear affair. We have some days of loss many days of plateau and even some upward days but the overal journey will be downward. Have you checked your inches lostto see how much fat mass you have shed as you morph your body doing Atkins shedding fat adding lean mass and that darn fluid mass in a constant state of flux? We can shed 2 pounds of fat add 2 pounds of fluid and muscle and have the scales say NOpe you didn't lose anything but the tape measure will show you inches of fat gone for good. What you doing for your mandatory exercise part of your Atkins?

08-15-2007, 04:11 AM	#28
bailey42 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 625 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: bailey42 Stats: 238/228/lean muscle & low fat(160ish) WOE: CAD/CALP Start Date: 10-20-08	Thanks for your reply, I added 2 T of full fat ranch dressing to the salad at lunch but honestly no exercise as of yet. I did try a Carb addicts way of eating yesterday though and the scale was down a pound this morning. The only bad thng is my sugar was up. I did have a few cookies so I am sure that had something to do with it. But maybe my calories were to low the week before and that is why I lost when I ate a reward meal Deb Definetly will be starting exercise today though.