Knowing the difference between a serving size and portion size is important for the health conscious, but the reality is, most people don’t know the difference.
Do you?
The sad truth is that the majority of people in the U.S. eat a considerable amount more than is necessary to get their daily nutrients and calories. One of the main culprits for overeating is portion size.
Serving size refers to the suggested serving on a food manufacturer’s label, and portion size, completely within our control, refers to the amount of food we choose to eat. Often we even forego the suggested serving size on a product and wind up eating double or triple based on our idea of what a portion is.
But to maintain optimal health, it is important to have better portion control, and one way to do that is to consider eating closer to what would be determined a serving size.
Here are some portion recommendations for a few common foods:
-1 slice of bread
-½ cup rice or pasta (cooked)
-1 small piece of fruit
-¾ cup fruit juice
-1 cup milk or yogurt
-2 oz. cheese
-2-3 oz. meat, poultry, or fish (this is about the size of a deck of cards)
Do you keep track of what you are eating? Chat with one of our coaches and find out how food tracking can help you achieve optimum health.