Forget the Measuring Cup ( Heart Health )

[b-man]

Forget the Measuring Cup (Heart Health)


If you're trying to maintain a healthy weight, watching portion size is just as important as choosing healthy foods. Eating too much of even a low-fat food can add unwanted saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories to your diet. Use these examples to estimate the size of a single serving of food based on the size of everyday objects.


Breads, Cereals, Rice, Pasta, and other Grains

One serving is:

One slice of bread or 1/2 bagel (about the size of a hockey puck).
1/2 cup cooked rice (about the amount that would fill a cupcake wrapper).
1/2 cup pasta (about an ice cream scoop).


Fruit and Vegetable Groups

One serving is:

One fruit or vegetable (about the size of a tennis ball).
1/2 cup chopped fruit or vegetable (about the size of a lightbulb).


Meat, Chicken, and Fish

One serving is:

3 ounces lean meat, chicken, or fish (about the size of a deck of cards).
Cheese

One serving of dairy is:

One ounce of cheese (about the size of four dice).


Fats, Oils, and Sweets

One serving is:

A teaspoon of fat (roughly the size of the tip of your thumb).
As you can see, you don't need a measuring cup or scale to understand proper portion sizes. All it takes is a perceptive eye. Keep these everyday items in mind when you sit down at the table. You'll be better equipped to make healthy eating decisions.


B-man