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What is the Correct Portion Size?

By Tiffany Glenn, M.S., R.D.,L.D. Registered Dietitian

Last week my family picked up some Chinese take out.  When I opened up the container for what I ordered, I have never seen so much rice in my life!  Good grief, do they really expect you to eat all that?  This lead me to thinking that I probably had about 5 servings of rice in that one order.  No wonder there is such a problem with obesity in America.  Not to mention, your kids are getting these big portions too!

If you'd like to know how many servings from the food groups that your child should be eating, go to www.hoorayforfamily.com and click on the icon "Laying it on the Table."  You will find a link titled "How much should my child eat?"

Below are some good "rules of thumb" on typical portion sizes.

  • Peanut Butter – Ping pong ball
  • Pasta, veggies, cereal – 1 handful
  • Cheese – 4 dice
  • Meat, poultry - palm of hand/deck of cards = 3 oz.
  • Fish – checkbook = 3 oz
  • Fruit – tennis ball
  • Rice – ice cream scoop
  • Canned Fruit – ½ baseball
  • Pancake or waffle – CD or DVD
  • Milk or yogurt – adult fist
  • Dried fruit – golf ball
  • Baked potato – computer mouse
  • Oil – 1 adult thumb tip
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By Tiffany Glenn, M.S., R.D.,L.D. Registered Dietitian
Categories:  Kid's Health & Safety

About the Author

Tiffany Glenn, M.S., R.D.,L.D. Registered Dietitian

Tiffany Glenn, M.S., R.D.,L.D. Registered Dietitian

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