Protein Weight; Raw Vs. Uncooked

[cookiedough]

Surprisingly, this is a bit of a controversy in our community. I have a strong opinion and would like to hear the arguments against. I'm not attempting to start a quarrel, but I would like to spark some debate.

Cooked weight of meat is the obvious number to reference for daily protein intake IMO. Chicken, in particular, is often over-hydrated before packaging. Some brands label the chicken as having "up to 20% additional weight from saline solution." This artificially adds to the price/pound and acts as a preservative.

Counting the pre-cooked weight is folly for this simple reason: Raw meat naturally has significant h20 weight to begin with, so cooking any protein reduces it's mass greatly.

With this seemingly simple, common sense knowledge why does anyone consider the raw weight of meats for dietary intake amounts?!

[WetWorks]

the standard is to weigh raw. if you thaw the chicken breast or what ever meat that has water added. than it shouldn't have all the water weight. my .02

[cookiedough]

Cooking reduces the weight even after thawing. 8 oz raw is only 4-6 oz after cooking. What matters is how much protien you actually ingest. Heat degrades the protein some too. My basic point is that I weigh the cooked meat to calculate the protein.

[WetWorks]

I understand, but I believe protein is based on raw weight not cooked weight. what does eye or round weigh after cooked? I doubt it loses much if any. it will only help your protein intake if you measure cooked weight

[cookiedough]

Originally Posted by WetWorks

I understand, but I believe protein is based on raw weight not cooked weight. what does eye or round weigh after cooked? I doubt it loses much if any. it will only help your protein intake if you measure cooked weight

Appears we're the only people on this one. Agreed, the leaner cuts won't Lose much mass. I'll cook some eye of the round tonight and report back

[WetWorks]

seems that way let me know how it tastes

[chiselmeat]

I am on an eat anything any time all day diet so I don't weigh my food.

[crazedhate]

whenever i can afford to get on my ideal diet i will weigh my meat cooked to make sure i get as much protein out of each meal as i can (as WW said).

[yohimbe]

I agree it depends on the protein content of the food. Protein content is usually based on raw weight, but safest is to take average values of different cooked meat to get a guideline as a steak well done will have a different protein content per lb than a rare steak due to liquid weight.

[cookiedough]

Sounds like we all agree here, so why does anyone use raw weights for reference regarding protein in the diet? Seems odd to me...