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and Health
When it comes to health and wellness, those important factors start with what you eat, and that means portion control. Understanding portions and serving sizes can help you make smarter, healthier food choices and meet your nutritional needs. To help you understand the science behind it all, here’s our breakdown of the science behind portion control.
What Are Serving Sizes?
Serving sizes refer to the amount of food that you should generally be eating each day, as set by government guidelines. Serving sizes are determined based on nutrition, and each type of food is given a recommended serving size. These sizes are not to say you should eat this exact portion; they are simply a recommendation and guide you as to how much of each type of food you should be consuming during the day.
For example, the USDA recommends a serving of ½ cup of cooked vegetables or ¾ cup of raw vegetables as one serving size.
What Are Portion Sizes?
Portion sizes refer to the actual amount of food you are consuming when you eat. These can vary based on many factors, such as individual needs, planned meals, and other preferences.
Take vegetables, for example. When you make a meal, you may choose to have ½ cup of cooked vegetables. However, a portion of cooked vegetables could actually mean something as small as a ¼ cup or as big as a full cup.
How To Balance Portion and Serving Sizes?
The key to balancing portion sizes and serving sizes is to make sure you are consuming the right amount of food to meet your nutritional needs. To do this, it is important to be mindful of both the serving sizes and portion sizes of foods you are eating throughout the day.
For example, if you are planning a meal, it is important to make sure you are not overindulging in certain foods. To ensure this, you may want to start by accounting for the recommended serving sizes and portion sizes in each food group.
Understanding Serving Sizes and Portion Control For Health
Understanding how to balance your serving sizes and portion sizes is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only can portion control help you manage your calorie intake, but it can also help you make sure you are getting all the essential nutrients that your body needs.
In short, portion control is about managing your intake of food by understanding the serving sizes and portion sizes of foods. This can help you make smarter food choices, meet your nutritional needs, and achieve optimal health.
