Measuring cups should be an essential item in every healthy, diet friendly kitchen. This may sound like a very basic idea to some, but I know that I used to use a coffee mug to do all my measuring (and I'm not ashamed to say it)! There are dry measuring cups, like the one pictured to the left, and there are also larger measuring cups more suitable for measuring liquids, such as the one pictured to the right.

Measuring cups are an important tool in portion control. Ingredients, cereal, snacks, food, nuts - anything with the potential of you over eating - needs to be measured out. Some things to look for when buying measuring cups include making sure that they are dishwasher safe (if you use a dishwasher) and that they have long handles with a good grip. Plastic ones are usually cheaper than stainless steel, but sometimes aren't dishwasher safe, and the size markings may wear out or scratch out more easily over time.

It's not necessary to pay upwards of $20 for a set of measuring cup sets which have extras like the 2/3 and 3/4 cups. For my money, I would just measure 1/3 twice, and 1/2 and 1/4 make 3/4 cup.

The measuring cups pictured on the left is the MIU France Stainless-Steel 5-Piece Measuring Cup Set available on Amazon.com for $11.99. The liquid measures on the right is the Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Measuring Cup Set for $14.95.

Reprinted from earlier Iateapie article.