Portion Distortion - Your Portion Size Guide!

So I know we all wish the proper portion of a steak or pasta (or whatever you love!) would be the size of a dinner plate but it just isn't!  In most cases it is much much smaller.  Over the past 20 years accepted portion sizes have grown larger and larger.  To help you master what 1 cup or 3 ounces really looks like I thought I would give your some easy tips to guide you on how large your portions really are and to put an end to all of this "portion distortion."  P.S.  The portions may seem small but trust me, it really is enough so resist the urge to add more to your plate or bowl!! 

Rules of Thumb

8 fl oz - One Fist Clenched

• Cold and Hot Beverages

1 cup - Two Hands Cupped 

• Breakfast Cereal, Soup
• Green Salads (lettuce or spinach)
• Mixed dishes (chili, mac and cheese, stew)
• Chinese food 

1/2 cup - One Hand Cupped

• Pasta or rice
• Hot cereal (oatmeal)
• Fruit salad or berries
• Tomato or spaghetti sauce 
• Beans (cooked or canned)
• Mashed potatoes 
• Cottage cheese 
• Pudding
• Ice Cream

3 ounces - Palm of Hand 

• Cooked meat (hamburger patty, chicken breast, fish fillet, pork loin)
• Canned fish (tuna)

1 Tablespoon - Two Thumbs Together 

•  Peanut butter
• Salad dressing
• Sour cream
• Dips
• Cream cheese
• Margarine
• Mayo

Hopefully this makes cooking and eating a LOT easier and takes out most of the second guessing!!

E-