Fact Files : Portion Control

Research shows that most people are unaware of how much food to have on their plate. It seems that we tend to eat whatever is served to us on our plate and we will eat larger portions when they are served to us.

Packaging is making a difference too. Over the years, packaging sizes have grown and so too have our dinner plates and bowls. This means that for a lot of us, food quantity has increased as we lose sight of what an appropriate portion size is. Often serving sizes and package sizing don’t match making it easy to overeat, especially with snack foods.

A general rule of thumb for eating at meal times is to plate up in the right proportions. Use this diagram as a guide. It is recommended that you consult with a dietitian for further explanation and specialised recommendations.

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