• By Kagendo Nyagah
• Posted Friday, April 8, 2016

National Nutrition Month: Portions & Servings, What's the Difference?

Average portion sizes have grown so much over the past 20 years that sometimes the plate arrives and there's enough food for two or even three people on it. Growing portion sizes are changing what Americans think of as a "normal" portion at home too. This is called portion distortion.

Understanding the difference between portions and servings can help you make healthier food choices when you know what and how much you eat. Check out the difference below:

A portion is the amount of food that you choose to eat for a meal or snack. It can be big or small, you decide.

A serving is a measured amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk.

Take a look at the comparison of portions and calories from 20 years ago on this Comparison Chart.

To overcome portion distortion and to downsize your helpings, try these tips.

• Eat from a plate, not a package, so you know how much you eat.
• Use smaller dishes, such as a lunch plate for your dinner, so less looks like more.

For more information:

• National Institutes of Health
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics