If you are in the market for a dietary scale and want to make sure you are getting the model and style that best suits your needs, there are a few key factors to take into account before making a purchase. Some of the most important things to consider when researching and shopping are how frequently you will be using the scale, how large the meals and portions are that you will be using the scale to measure, where you will be using the scale the most, and the price range you would like to stay in. By taking a closer look at these four areas, you can make the selection process much simpler.
How frequently you will use your dietary scale plays a key role in the decision-making process for several reasons. If you plan to use the scale on a day-to-day basis and in a long-term capacity, then there is a greater chance you would be able to utilize many of the added bells and whistles that can be found on various models currently available. These may include detailed nutritional analysis of the food item being weighed, built-in programming to help determine the correct portion sizes, or even the ability to track daily food consumption to ensure the proper recommended nutritional guidelines are being met. If you only plan to use the scale on an infrequent basis, there is a good chance that a basic model with limited added features will suit your needs well.
If you live by yourself or will be the only one on the household using the dietary scale, a small, compact model would probably be best-suited for your situation. If you will be preparing portion-controlled meals for the entire family, on the other hand, one of the larger models will be better able to accommodate the increased volume of food being measured and weighed. The size of meals will also come into play, however, as you may prepare larger meals on weekends that can then be separated into individual portions to freeze for use later in the week. In these cases, a larger unit would also be ideal.
If the dietary scale will be solely for home use, and you have the kitchen space to accommodate it, a larger counter top scale is your best bet. If you plan to use the scale at work or during frequent travel, there are a number of compact and portable scales on the market that are better suited to travel or use in small spaces, such as an office kitchen. Keep in mind, however, that you may be better off buying one of each design to allow you to keep the larger dietary scale at home and the compact unit on your person or in your office.
The most important factor to keep in mind when searching for a new dietary scale, of course, is the amount of money you are looking to spend on your purchase. While the advanced technology of the higher-end models may be appealing, they can also significantly increase the price of the unit, sometimes placing it outside of your desired price range. By taking your budget into account, you will not only be able to better narrow down the possible choices, but you will also make sure you are buying a product that will satisfy your needs without breaking the bank.
