Food and Nutrition Services

Gauging Your Portions

Are you trying to monitor your calorie intake?

You may be underestimating your total daily calories by almost 600 if you are unaware of portion size.

Stop guessing how much food equals one serving. The nutrition facts label, found on the package of most foods, gives you an exact amount of one serving for that particular food.

Then use measuring cups to measure out exactly one serving. You may be surprised to find your usual serving is nearly 2 or 3 times the actual portion listed on the package!

Hint: One serving of a baked potato should be about the size of a computer mouse; a serving of meat is approximately the size of a deck of cards; one slice of bread is equal to one serving; one serving of pretzels is one small handful.