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Handy Tips on Serving Sizes

Whether you are trying to lose weight or keep the weight off, understanding food serving sizes can be helpful in figuring out total calories and fat intake.

Below are some savvy tips to help you understand serving sizes:

Breads, cereals, and grains (6-8 ounces/day)

1 ounce = 1 slice of bread  
  1 cup of dry cereal 1 cup = tennis ball
  1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta 1/2 cup = hockey puck
  1/2 an English muffin  


Fruits (2 cups/day)

1 serving = 1 medium piece of fruit Medium piece = tennis ball
  1 cup of fruit 1 cup = tennis ball

Vegetables (2 1/2 cups/day)

1 serving = 1 cup leafy vegetables  
  1/2 cup of other vegetables 1/2 cup = regular light bulb
  3/4 cup vegetable juice  

 

Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese (3 cups/day)

1 serving = 1 1/2 oz. of natural cheese 1 1/2 oz. = 2 dominoes
  1 cup of milk or yogurt 1 cup - tennis ball


Meat and Proteins (5 1/2 ounces/day)

1 serving = 2-3 oz. cooked lean meat,
poultry, or fish
3 ounces = deck of cards
  2 tablespoons of peanut butter
or 1/3 cup of nuts
 
  2 1/2 ounce soy or veggie burger
or 1 egg
 
  1/2 cup cooked dry beans
or 1/2 cup tofu
 



Fats, Oils, and Sweets (sparingly - 5-7 teaspoons/day)

1 serving = 1/2 cup ice cream 1/2 cup = hockey puck
  1 ounce of small snack foods 1 ounce (wt.) = tennis ball
  2 tablespoons butter, oil  


For more tips and nutrition information:
www.eatright.org
www.mypyramid.gov

Page last modified September 14, 2010