HAND GUIDE TO PORTION CONTROL
Whether you’re enjoying a meal at a restaurant, at a party, or even at home, your hands can give you a fairly good idea of portion size. A food scale, measuring cups, and measuring spoons provide the most accurate way to keep track of how much food you eat, but they’re not always practical. The hand method gives you an easy way to judge a reasonable serving.
1 Cup = FIST
Serving size: 1 Cup
Visual aid: Fist
Best for:
Beverages
Cereal
Casseroles
Soups
Fresh fruit
Salads
½ Cup = CUPPED HAND
Serving size: ½ Cup
Visual aid: Cupped hand
Best for:
Pasta
Rice
Beans
Potatoes
Cooked vegetables
Pudding
Ice cream
3 Ounces = PALM
Serving size: 3 ounces
Visual aid: Palm (thickness and size)
Best for:
Beef
Pork
Poultry
Fish
1 Tablespoon = THUMB
Serving size: 1 Tablespoon
Visual aid: Thumb
Best for:
Salad dressing
Peanut butter
Sour cream
Cream cheese
1 Teaspoon = THUMB TIP
Serving size: 1 Teaspoon
Visual aid: Thumb tip
Best for:
Butter
Margarine
Mayonnaise
Oil