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PORTION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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Meaning of portion in English

portionnoun [ C ] uk

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/ˈpɔː.ʃən/ us

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/ˈpɔːr.ʃən/

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C1 a part or share of something larger: A large/major portion of the company's profit goes straight back into new projects. I accept my portion of the blame.

B2 the amount of a particular food that is served to one person, especially in a restaurant or a shop that sells food ready to be eaten: The portions are very generous in this restaurant.

More examplesFewer examplesShe donated a sizeable portion of her riches to children's charities.A good rule of thumb is that a portion of rice is two and a half handfuls.Just a modest portion for me, please.The school would only receive a very small portion of the profits.A very large portion of our income goes to pay the mortgage.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Words meaning parts of things

back end

bifurcation

biomarker

cartridge

chunk

element

modularized

modularly

module

moiety

multi-branched

multi-component

panel

piece

sub

subcomponent

subpart

subscale

subscience

subsection

See more results »

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Food - general words

(Definition of portion from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

portion | American Dictionary

portionnoun [ C ] us

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/ˈpɔr·ʃən, ˈpoʊr-/

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a part or share of something larger: She read large portions of the manuscript and offered many useful suggestions. A portion of my paycheck was withheld for taxes.

A portion is also the amount of food served to or suitable for a person: They serve children’s portions at half-price.

(Definition of portion from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

portion | Business English

portionnoun [ C ] uk

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/ˈpɔːʃən/ us

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a part or share of something larger: A large portion of the company's profits is ploughed back into new projects. These products account for a relatively small portion of sales.

COMMERCE the amount of a particular food that is enough for one person, especially in a restaurant, etc.: Bar food, lunchtime and evening, comes in generous portions. They kept their costs down by minimizing waste and having strict portion control.

(Definition of portion from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of portion

portion

Once the ontology coordinating agents got all the portions of the ontologies from the ontopic agents, they integrated them.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

As already noted, if the intending-foreseeing distinction collapses under the weight of these (or other) objections, so do significant portions of commonsense morality.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

When the three highly correlated items are forced into a single factor, the specific portions tend to increase.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

He eats and drinks himself through enormous portions and grotesquely long lists of food and booze and generally has nothing else on his mind.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The changing palaeocurrent directions record the superposition of different portions of meander loops.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Various traditional management techniques were employed, such as the regular burning of portions of grassland to help regenerate new grass growth.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

If we multiply the number of hatched portions by the pixel area, we can obtain the contact area's dimensions.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Near the highly crystallized peripheral portions of the chambers, represented by magmatic xenoliths (fergusites, syenites and pyroxenites), skarn aureoles form.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Where parents had died, other kin were usually called upon to act as guardians and executors in the paying out of inheritance portions.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Their inner portions were only to be structured as actual need arose.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Measurements of local minima and maxima were made for the portions of the pitchtrack excluding these.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Each muscle consists of contractile and non-contractile portions.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

As to diet, the number of portions of fruit and vegetables eaten each day was monitored as participants progressed through the intervention.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Surely they don't mean to suggest that the three persons share a common stuff or matter, or that their three portions of matter overlap.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Examples (16a, b) represent the final four words of much longer utterances with a prenuclear accents on the portions not shown here.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

See all examples of portion

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

Collocations with portion

portion

These are words often used in combination with portion.Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

anterior portionThe nucleus was always in the anterior portion of the body (nuclear index = 1*2).

From the Cambridge English Corpus  

bottom portionThe bottom portion of the filter was probed using an antibody against actin-capping protein ß to verify equal loading in each well (data not shown).

From the Cambridge English Corpus  

certain portionThese setasides give a certain portion of government contracts to minority owned and operated businesses because historically they have been left out.

From the Cambridge English Corpus  

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

See all collocations with portion

What is the pronunciation of portion?

C1,B2

Translations of portion

in Chinese (Traditional)

一部分, 一份, （食物的）一份，一客…

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in Chinese (Simplified)

一部分, 一份, （食物的）一份，一客…

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in Spanish

porción, ración, parte [feminine…

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in Portuguese

parcela, porção, parte [feminine]…

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in more languages

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भाग, हिस्सा, खाण्याच्या पदार्थाचे प्रमाण…

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（食事の）一人分の量, 一部, 部分…

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parça, bölüm, miktar…

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partie [feminine], portion [feminine], partie…

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ració, porció…

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deel, portie…

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ஒரு பெரிய விஷயத்தின் ஒரு பகுதி அல்லது பங்கு, ஒரு நபருக்கு வழங்கப்படும் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட உணவின் அளவு, குறிப்பாக ஒரு உணவகம் அல்லது உண்ணத் தயாராக இருக்கும் உணவை விற்கும் கடையில்…

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(किसी बड़ी चीज़ का एक) अंश, भाग, (किसी रेस्तराँ…

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ભાગ, હિસ્સો, પીરસવામાં આવતી ખોરાકની માત્રા…

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del, portion…

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del, stycke, andel…

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bahagian, hidangan…

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der Teil, der Anteil, die Portion…

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del [masculine], porsjon [masculine], del…

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کسی بڑی چیز کا ایک حصہ, مخصوص حصہ, بخرہ…

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частина, частка, пай…

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часть, доля, порция…

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పెద్ద దానిలో భాగం లేదా వాటా, వడ్డన / ఒక వ్యక్తికి అందించబడే నిర్దిష్ట ఆహారం మొత్తం, ముఖ్యంగా రెస్టారెంట్‌లో లేదా తినడానికి సిద్ధంగా ఉన్న ఆహారాన్ని విక్రయించే దుకాణంలో…

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حِصّة, قِطْعة…

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অংশ, খাবারের পরিমাণ…

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část, partie, podíl…

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bagian, porsi…

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ส่วนหนึ่ง, ส่วนแบ่ง, ปริมาณอาหาร…

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phần, cổ phần, khẩu phần ăn…

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część, porcja…

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양, 인분, 일부…

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porzione, razione, parte…

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portfolio worker

porthole

portico

porticoes

portion

portion control

portion something out

portlet

portly

More meanings of portion

All

portion control

portion something out

See all meanings

Phrasal Verbs

portion something out

See all phrasal verb meanings

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Portion Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Portion Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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portion

1 of 2

noun

por·​tion

ˈpȯr-shən 

Synonyms of portion

1

: an individual's part or share of something: such as

a

: a share received by gift or inheritance

b

: dowry

c

: enough food especially of one kind to serve one person at one meal

2

: an individual's lot, fate, or fortune : one's share of good and evil

3

: an often limited part of a whole

portion

2 of 2

verb

portioned; portioning

ˈpȯr-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to divide into portions : distribute

portioned out the food equally

2

: to allot a dowry to : dower

Synonyms

Noun

circumstance

destiny

doom

fate

fortune

kismet

lot

Verb

administer

allocate

apportion

deal (out)

dispense

distribute

dole out

hand out

mete (out)

parcel (out)

prorate

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Choose the Right Synonym for portion

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end. fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance

it was her lot to die childless

, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Examples of portion in a Sentence

Noun

A portion of the donations will be given to the orphanage.

Portions of land were used for farming.

A considerable portion of the city was flooded.

The restaurant gives large portions.

She divided the pie into six equal portions.

Verb

The work was portioned to each member of the staff.

portioned out the medical supplies equally

See More

Recent Examples on the WebNoun

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo announced that a portion of the ticket sales from her upcoming GUTS tour will be donated to nonprofits pushing for equity for women and girls.

—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024

The uptick in bitcoin and ether is responsible for a significant portion of this boom as the two cryptocurrencies respectively make up around 44.5% and 17.3% of the overall crypto market.

—Robert Hart, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

Later, during the evening portion of their date, Joey asked Daisy where her feelings stood.

—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024

But Prichard had opted out of the portion of Medicare that covers ambulance services.

—Emily Siner, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024

The northern and southern portions of Winding Creek are connected by trails, walking paths and bridges with the Sierra Nevada Mountains as its backdrop.

—Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024

Northern portions of the former District 81, including Baraboo and Prairie du Sac, have moved to District 40; a smaller portion of the former 81 east of the Wisconsin River and a portion including the Town of Vienna are now in District 42.

—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024

Many of Gascón’s big supporters remain largely quiet In Gascón’s 2020 election and the recall attempt, a significant portion of the millions raised for Gascón was from big-dollar donors.

—Gabrielle Lamarr Lemee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024

Traditionally, candidates who drop out of a race still tend to garner a portion of votes.

—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024

Verb

From there, cookies are portioned out to Girl Scouts to deliver to their customers.

—Bill Chappell, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024

Use a bench scraper or a knife to portion the dough into 10 even (90-gram) pieces.

—Yewande Komolafe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024

To make your dumplings, form the dough into a long sausage shape, then portion it into 15g dough balls.

—Erchen Chang, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2024

Once the dough is malleable, fold it a few times to soften, then portion it into twenty-eight 2½-teaspoon balls (about 16 grams each).

—Yi Jun Loh, Saveur, 8 Feb. 2024

Stop Making Sense is a masterful slow build, starting with Byrne alone on stage and then carefully portioning out bandmates and backup signers and dancers song by song, one at a time.

—Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023

Black women simmered beans in pots all day with the least desirable cuts of meat — ham hocks, pigs feet, portions their captors thought beneath consumption — while they and their families were forced to labor in cane fields.

—Emiene Wright, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2024

The fill seemed to be perfectly portioned as well: It wasn’t overstuffed to the point of being too stiff or too hot, and it was filled enough for warmth and an attractive drape on the bed.

—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2024

Use to portion salt and pepper when dealing with raw meat, to avoid cross-contamination.

—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'portion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English porcioun, porcion "part allotted to a person or institution, share, section into which a thing is divided, quantity", borrowed from Anglo-French porciun, porcioun, borrowed from Latin portiōn-, portiō "ratio, proportion, part, share" (earliest in the phrase prō portiōne "in the degree proper to each, proportionately"), probably by dissimilation from *prōrtiōne, by univerbation and syncope from prō ratiōne "in proportion" (with ratiō "reckoning, calculation, proportion") — more at pro- entry 2, reason entry 1

Note:

If correct, this etymology represents the first of two univerbations with the preposition/prefix prō̆, the first with ratiōn- (whence *prō ratiōne > *prōratiōne > *prōrtiōne > portiōn-, portiō), the second with the newly formed noun portiō (whence prō portiōne > *prōportiōne > prōportiōn-, prōportiō—see proportion entry 1). Also suggested is derivation of portiō from partītiōn-, partītiō "sharing out, distribution, division of a speech" (see partition entry 1), assuming *prō partiōne reduced from *prō partītione; however, the noun partītiō is not attested before Cicero, while portiō is used already by Plautus.

Verb

Middle English portionen, porciounen "to divide into portions," borrowed from Anglo-French porcioner, borrowed from Medieval Latin portiōnāre, derivative of Latin portiōn-, portiō "ratio, proportion, part, share" — more at portion entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of portion was

in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing portion

pre-portion

Dictionary Entries Near portion

portiforium

portion

portional

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“Portion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portion. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

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Kids Definition

portion

1 of 2

noun

por·​tion

ˈpōr-shən 

ˈpȯr-

1

a

: one's share of a whole

a portion of food

b

: dowry

2

: one's lot or fate

3

: a part of a whole

portion

2 of 2

verb

portioned; portioning

-sh(ə-)niŋ 

: apportion

More from Merriam-Webster on portion

Nglish: Translation of portion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of portion for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated:

2 Mar 2024

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Food Portions: Choosing Just Enough for You - NIDDK

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Food Portions: Choosing Just Enough for You

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Food Portions: Choosing Just Enough for You

On this page:

What is the difference between a portion and a serving?

How have recommended serving sizes changed?

How much should I eat?

How can the Nutrition Facts food label help me?

How can I keep track of how much I eat?

How can I manage food portions at home?

How can I manage portions when eating out?

How can I manage portions and eat well when money is tight?

Clinical Trials for Weight Management

To reach or stay at a healthy weight, how much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Do you know how much food is enough for you? Do you understand the difference between a portion and a serving? The information below explains portions and servings, and it provides tips to help you eat just enough for you.

To reach or stay at a healthy weight, how much you eat is just as important as what you eat.

What is the difference between a portion and a serving?

A portion is how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package, or at home. A serving, or serving size, is the amount of food listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts label, or food label (see Figure 1 below).

Different products have different serving sizes. Sizes can be measured in cups, ounces, grams, pieces, slices, or numbers—such as three crackers. Depending on how much you choose to eat, your portion size may or may not match the serving size.

To see how many servings a container has, look at the top of the label. “Servings per container” is listed right above “Serving size.” In the example below, a frozen lasagna serving size is 1 cup. But the container has four servings. If you want to eat 2 cups—or half the package—you’d be eating two servings.

Do a little math to find out how many calories you would really be getting.

1 serving = 280 calories

2 servings = 280 × 2 = 560 calories

In this case, eating two servings would mean getting twice the calories—and other nutrients—that are listed on the food label.

Figure 1. Nutrition Facts label

View full-sized imageSample Nutrition Facts label for frozen lasagna

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

How have recommended serving sizes changed?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed some food and beverage serving sizes so the labels more closely match how much we typically eat and drink. As a result of recent updates to the Nutrition Facts label, some serving sizes on food labels may be larger or smaller than they were before (see Figure 2 below). For instance, a serving size of ice cream used to be 1/2 cup. Now it’s 2/3 cup. A serving size of yogurt used to be 8 ounces. Now it’s 6 ounces.

Remember: The serving size on a label is not a recommendation of how much you should eat or drink.

Figure 2. FDA serving size changes

View full-sized imageSome serving sizes on food labels may be larger or smaller than they were before.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

How much should I eat?

The serving size on a food label may be more than or less than the amount you should eat. That’s because how many calories you need each day to maintain your weight or lose weight may depend on

your age

your current weight and height

your metabolism

whether you’re male or female

how active you are

For example, if you’re a 150-pound woman whose main physical activity is a short walk once a week, you’ll need fewer calories than a woman about your size who engages in intense physical activity, such as running, several times a week.

To help you figure out how many calories are just enough for you, check out the following resources.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 can give you an idea of how many calories you may need each day based on your age, sex, and physical activity level.

The Body Weight Planner tool helps you make your own calorie and physical activity plans to reach and maintain your goal weight.

The MyPlate Plan helps you form a healthy eating plan with the amounts of food and beverages that are right for you.

How many calories you need each day depends on your age, weight, metabolism, sex, and physical activity level.

How can the Nutrition Facts food label help me?

The FDA’s Nutrition Facts food label is printed on most packaged foods. The food label tells you how many calories and how much fat, protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients are in one food serving. Many packaged foods contain more than a single serving. The updated food label lists the number of calories in one serving size using larger print than before, so it is easier to read.

Other helpful facts on the food label

The food label has other useful information about what is in one food serving, such as

total fat. For example, one serving of the food item shown in Figure 3 below has 1 gram of saturated fat and 0 grams of trans fat.

added sugars. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommends that less than 10% of your total daily calories should come from added sugars.

sodium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 recommends limiting sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day, or even less for children younger than age 14.

other nutrients. Americans don’t always get enough vitamin D and potassium. That’s why the updated food label in Figure 3 includes serving information for both these nutrients. Because most Americans generally do get enough vitamin A and vitamin C, these nutrients are no longer included on the food label. However, food makers may include them if they choose.

Figure 3. Side-by-side comparison of original and new Nutrition Facts labels

View full-sized imageCurrent Nutrition Facts label (left) and updated label (right)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Another way to use the Nutrition Facts label

One way to become healthier now and in the future is to use the Nutrition Facts label together with the MyPlate Plan that helps you figure out how many calories you need each day. Using the two together, as shown in Figure 4 below, can help you figure out how many vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, and dairy products your body needs.

Figure 4. Nutrition Facts label and MyPlate.gov

View full-sized imageBecome healthier by using the Nutrition Facts label together with the MyPlate app.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

How can I keep track of how much I eat?

Checking food labels for calories per serving is one step toward managing your food portions. It’s also important to keep track of

what you eat

when you eat

where you eat

why you eat

how much you eat

Create a food tracker on your cellphone, calendar, or computer to record the information. Or you can download apps available for mobile devices to help you track how much you eat—and how much physical activity you get—each day. For example, the Start Simple with MyPlate app tells you how to get started and is free to download and use.

The sample food tracker in Figure 5 below shows what a 1-day page of a food tracker might look like. In the example, the person chose fairly healthy portions for breakfast and lunch to satisfy hunger. The person also ate five cookies in the afternoon out of boredom rather than hunger.

By 8 p.m., the person was very hungry and ate large portions of high-fat, high-calorie food at a social event. An early evening snack of a piece of fruit and 4 ounces of fat-free or low-fat yogurt might have prevented overeating less healthy food later. The number of calories for the day totaled 2,916—more than most people need. Taking in too many calories may lead to weight gain over time.

Figure 5. Sample food tracker

Thursday

Time

Food

Amount

Estimated Calories

Place

Hunger/Reason

8 a.m.

Coffee, Black

6 fl. oz.

2

Home

Slightly hungry

Banana

1 medium

105

Low-fat yogurt

1 cup

250

1 p.m.

Grilled cheese sandwich

281

Work

Hungry

Apple

1 medium

72

Potato chips

Single-serving bag, 1 ounce

152

Water

16 fl. oz.

0

3 p.m.

Chocolate-chip cookies

5 medium-sized

345

Work

Not hungry/bored

8 p.m.

Mini chicken drumsticks with hot pepper sauce

4

312

Restaurant, while out with friends

Very hungry

Taco salad

3 cups in fried flour tortilla with beans and cheese

586

Chocolate cheesecake

1 piece, 1/12 of 9-inch cake

479

Soft drink

12 fl. oz.

136

Latte

Espresso coffee with whole milk, 16 ounces

196

Total Calories =

2,916

If you find that you eat even when you’re not hungry, like the person in the food tracker example, try distracting yourself from food by doing something else instead. For instance,

call or visit a friend

if at work, take a break and walk around the block, if your work and schedule permit

try a healthier option, such as a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, or carrot sticks and hummus

Using your tracker, you may become aware of when and why you consume less healthy foods and drinks. This information may help you make different choices in the future.

How can I manage food portions at home?

You don’t need to measure and count everything you eat or drink for the rest of your life. You may only want to do so long enough to learn typical serving and portion sizes. Try these tips to control portions at home.

Take one serving according to the food label and eat it off a plate instead of straight out of the box or bag.

Avoid eating in front of the TV, while driving or walking, or while you are busy with other activities.

Focus on what you are eating, chew your food well, and fully enjoy the smell and taste of your food.

Eat slowly so your brain has time to realize your stomach is full, which may take at least 15 minutes.

Use smaller dishes, bowls, and glasses so you eat and drink less.

Eat fewer high-fat, high-calorie foods, such as desserts, chips, sauces, and prepackaged snacks.

Freeze food you won’t serve or eat right away if you make too much. That way, you won’t be tempted to finish the whole batch. If you freeze leftovers in single- or family-sized servings, you’ll have ready-made meals for another day.

Eat meals at regular times. Delaying meals or skipping meals altogether may cause you to overeat later in the day.

Buy snacks, such as fruit or single-serving prepackaged foods that are lower in calories. If you buy bigger bags or boxes of snacks, divide the items into single-serving packages right away so you aren’t tempted to overeat.

A family sharing a meal around a dinner table.

How can I manage portions when eating out?

Although it may be easier to manage your portions when you cook and eat at home, most people eat out from time to time—and some people eat out often. Try these tips to keep your food portions in check when you’re away from home.

Share a meal with a friend or take half your meal home.

Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets. Instead, choose restaurants that offer some healthy food choices in controlled portions.

Order one or two healthy appetizers or side dishes instead of a whole meal. Options include steamed or grilled—instead of fried—seafood or chicken, a salad with dressing on the side, or roasted vegetables.

Ask to have the basket of bread or chips removed from the table.

If you have a choice, pick the small-sized—rather than large-sized—drink, salad, or frozen yogurt.

Look for calorie information next to food and drink items on menus and menu boards to understand how many calories are in a standard restaurant portion.

Stop eating and drinking when you’re full. Put down your fork and glass. Focus on enjoying the setting and company for the rest of the meal.

A salad of black beans, avocado, corn, tomato, rice, and quinoa.

Is getting more food for your money always a good value?

Have you noticed that it costs only a few cents more to get the large fries or soda instead of the regular or small size? Although getting the super-sized meal for a little extra money may seem like a good deal, you end up with more calories than you need for your body to stay healthy. Before you buy your next “value meal combo,” be sure you are making the best choice for your wallet and your health.

How can I manage portions and eat well when money is tight?

Eating healthier doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. For instance,

Buy fresh fruit and vegetables when they are in season. Check out a local farmers market for fresh, local produce if there is one in your community. Be sure to compare prices, as produce at some farmers markets cost more than the grocery store. Buy only as much as you will use to avoid throwing away spoiled food.

Match portion sizes to serving sizes. To get the most from the money you spend on packaged foods, try eating no more than the serving sizes listed on food labels. Eating no more than a serving size may also help you better manage your fat, sugar, salt, and calories.

When eating in a restaurant, ask for meals to be served “family style.” You can order three meals to serve five people, and everyone can taste a portion of each dish.

Clinical Trials for Weight Management

The NIDDK conducts and supports clinical trials in many diseases and conditions, including weight management. The trials look to find new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease and improve quality of life.

What are clinical trials for weight management?

Clinical trials—and other types of clinical studies—are part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future.

Find out if clinical studies are right for you.

Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials.

What clinical studies for weight management are looking for participants?

You can find clinical studies on weight management at www.ClinicalTrials.gov. In addition to searching for federally funded studies, you can expand or narrow your search to include clinical studies from industry, universities, and individuals; however, the National Institutes of Health does not review these studies and cannot ensure they are safe. Always talk with your health care provider before you participate in a clinical study.

Last Reviewed July 2021

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(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank:Carla Miller, Ph.D., R.D., Professor, Ohio State University

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9 Tips to Measure and Control Portion Sizes

9 Tips to Measure and Control Portion Sizes

Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental Well-BeingSleepProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestThrough An Artist's EyeFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaHealthlineHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectSubscribeNutritionSpecial DietsHealthy EatingFood FreedomConditionsFeel Good FoodProductsVitamins & SupplementsSustainabilityWeight ManagementNutritionEvidence Based9 Tips to Measure and Control Portion SizesBy Mary Jane Brown, PhD, RD (UK) on November 19, 2018Obesity is a growing epidemic, as more people than ever are struggling to control their weight.Increased portion sizes are thought to contribute to overeating and unwanted weight gain (1).Research indicates that many factors can influence how much you eat.People tend to eat almost all of what they serve themselves. Therefore, controlling portion sizes can help prevent overindulging (2).Here are 9 tips to measure and control portion sizes — both at home and on the go.Share on Pinterest 1. Use Smaller DinnerwareEvidence suggests that sizes of plates, spoons and glasses can unconsciously influence how much food someone eats (2, 3, 4).For example, using large plates can make food appear smaller — often leading to overeating.In one study, people using a large bowl ate 77% more pasta than those using a medium-sized bowl (5).In another study, nutritional experts served themselves 31% more ice cream when given larger bowls and 14.5% more when provided with larger serving spoons (6).Interestingly, most people who ate more due to large dishes were completely unaware of the change in portion size (7).Therefore, swapping your usual plate, bowl or serving spoon for a smaller alternative can reduce the helping of food and prevent overeating.Most people feel just as full having eaten from a smaller dish as from a large one.Summary Simply using smaller dishes or glasses can lower the amount of food or drink you consume. What’s more, people tend to feel just as satisfied. 2. Use Your Plate as a Portion GuideShare on PinterestIf measuring or weighing food isn’t appealing, try using your plate or bowl as a portion control guide.This can help you determine the optimal macronutrient ratio for a well-balanced meal.A rough guide for each meal is:Vegetables or salad: Half a plateHigh-quality protein: Quarter of a plate — this includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, tofu, beans and pulsesComplex carbs: Quarter of a plate — such as whole grains and starchy vegetablesHigh-fat foods: Half a tablespoon (7 grams) — including cheese, oils and butterRemember that this is a rough guide, as people have different dietary needs. For example, those who are more physically active often require more food. As vegetables and salad are naturally low in calories but high in fiber and other nutrients, filling up on these may help you avoid overeating calorie-dense foods.If you want extra guidance, some manufacturers sell portion-control plates.Summary Using a plate as a guide for portion control can help you curb total food intake. You can divide your plate into sections based on different food groups. 3. Use Your Hands as a Serving GuideAnother way to gauge appropriate portion size without any measuring tools is by simply using your hands.As your hands usually correspond to your body size, bigger people who require more food typically have bigger hands (8).A rough guide for each meal is:High-protein foods: A palm-sized serving for women and two palm-sized portions for men — such as meat, fish, poultry and beans Vegetables and salads: A fist-sized portion for women and two fist-sized portions for menHigh-carb foods: One cupped-hand portion for women and two for men — such as whole grains and starchy vegetables High-fat foods: One thumb-sized portion for women and two for men — such as butter, oils and nutsSummary Your hands can be a helpful guide for portion sizes. Different food groups correspond to various shapes and parts of your hands. 4. Ask for a Half Portion When Eating OutShare on PinterestRestaurants are notorious for serving large portions (1).In fact, restaurant serving sizes are, on average, about 2.5 times larger than standard serving sizes — and up to a whopping eight times larger (1, 3, 9). If you are eating out, you can always ask for a half portion or a children’s dish.This will save you a lot of calories and help prevent overeating.Alternatively, you could share a meal with someone or order a starter and side instead of a main dish.Other tips include ordering a side salad or vegetables, asking for sauces and dressings to be served separately and avoiding buffet-style, all-you-can-eat restaurants where it’s very easy to overindulge.Summary Restaurant portions tend to be at least twice the size of a regular portion. Prevent overeating by asking for a half portion, ordering a starter instead of a main dish and avoiding buffet-style restaurants. 5. Start All Meals With a Glass of WaterDrinking a glass of water up to 30 minutes before a meal will naturally aid portion control.Filling up on water will make you feel less hungry. Being well hydrated also helps you distinguish between hunger and thirst.One study in middle-aged and older adults observed that drinking 17 ounces (500 ml) of water before each meal resulted in a 44% greater decline in weight over 12 weeks, most likely due to reduced food intake (10).Similarly, when overweight and obese older adults drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of water 30 minutes before a meal, they consumed 13% fewer calories without trying to make any changes (11).In another study in young normal-weight men, drinking a similar amount of water immediately before a meal resulted in greater feelings of fullness and reduced food intake (12).Therefore, having a glass of water before each meal can help prevent overeating and aid portion control.Summary Drinking a glass of water up to 30 minutes before a meal can naturally result in reduced food intake and greater feelings of fullness. 6. Take It SlowlyShare on PinterestEating quickly makes you less aware of getting full — and therefore increases your likelihood of overeating.As your brain can take around 20 minutes to register that you are full after eating, slowing down can reduce your total intake.For example, one study in healthy women noted that eating slowly led to greater feelings of fullness and a decrease in food intake compared to eating quickly (13).What’s more, the women who ate slowly tended to enjoy their meal more (13).In addition, eating on the go or while distracted or watching TV boosts your likelihood of overeating (14).Therefore, focusing on your meal and refusing to rush increases the chances you’ll enjoy it and control your portion sizes.Health experts recommend taking smaller bites and chewing every mouthful at least five or six times before swallowing (15).Summary Sitting down to meals with no other distractions and eating slowly will regulate portion control and reduce your likelihood of overeating. 7. Don’t Eat Straight From the ContainerJumbo-size packages or food served from large containers encourages overeating and less awareness of appropriate portion sizes.This is especially true for snacks.Evidence suggests that people tend to eat more out of large packages than small ones — regardless of food taste or quality (16, 17).For example, people ate 129% more candies when served from a large container than a small one (16).In another study, participants consumed over 180 fewer grams of snacks per week when given 100-gram snack packs than when given snacks in standard-sized packages (17).Rather than eating snacks from the original packaging, empty them into a small bowl to prevent eating more than you need.The same applies to bulk portions of family meals. Rather than serving food directly from the stove, re-portion it onto plates before serving. Doing so will help prevent overfilling your plate and discourage returning for seconds.Summary Eating food from larger packages or containers encourages increased intake. Try re-portioning snacks into individual portions and serving family meals from plates to prevent overeating. 8. Be Aware of Suitable Serving SizeResearch indicates that we can’t always rely on our own judgment of appropriate portion size (18).This is because many factors affect portion control.However, it may help to invest in a scale or measuring cup to weigh food and correctly assess your intake (19).Reading food labels also increases awareness of proper portions.Knowing recommended serving sizes for commonly eaten foods can help you moderate your intake.Here are some examples:Cooked pasta or rice: 1/2 cup (75 and 100 grams, respectively)Vegetables and salad: 1–2 cups (150–300 grams)Breakfast cereal: 1 cup (40 grams)Cooked beans: 1/2 cup (90 grams)Nut butter: 2 tablespoons (16 grams)Cooked meats: 3 ounces (85 grams)You don’t always have to measure your meals. However, doing so may be helpful for a short period to develop awareness of what an appropriate portion size looks like. After a while, you may not need to measure everything.Summary Using measuring equipment can help increase awareness of portion sizes and correctly assess how much food is normally eaten. 9. Use a Food DiaryShare on PinterestResearch suggests that people are often surprised at how much food they eat (3, 20).For example, one study found that 21% of people who ate more due to having larger serving bowls denied having eaten more (21).Writing down all food and drink intake can increase awareness of the type and amount of foods you’re consuming.In weight-loss studies, those who kept a food diary tended to lose more weight overall (22).This likely occurred because they became more aware of what they ate — including their unhealthy choices — and adjusted their diet accordingly.Summary Jotting down your total calorie intake can increase awareness of what you consume. This can motivate you to make healthier choices and reduce your chances of overeating. The Bottom LineUnwanted weight gain may start with large portion sizes.However, there are many practical steps you can take to control portions. These simple changes have proven successful in reducing portions without compromising on taste or feelings of fullness.For example, measuring your food, using smaller dishes, drinking water prior to meals and eating slowly can all reduce your risk of overeating.At the end of the day, portion control is a quick fix that improves your quality of life and may prevent binging.How we reviewed this article:HistoryOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.Current VersionNov 19, 2018Written ByMary Jane BrownEdited ByFrank CrooksShare this articleBy Mary Jane Brown, PhD, RD (UK) on November 19, 2018Read this nextCalorie vs. Carb Counting: Pros and ConsMedically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D.Some diets are more radical than others, but all have the same goal: to expedite and maintain weight loss. Read on to learn about calorie and carb…READ MORE7 Proven Ways to Lose Weight on Autopilot (Without Counting Calories)By Kris Gunnars, BScCalories matter, but counting them is not at all necessary to lose weight. Here are 7 scientifically proven ways to lose fat on "autopilot."READ MORE23 Simple Things You Can Do to Stop OvereatingBy Jillian Kubala, MS, RDAlthough breaking the cycle of overeating can be challenging, there are ways to overcome it. Here are 23 ways to stop overeating.READ MORE10 Leading Causes of Weight Gain and ObesityBy Kris Gunnars, BScSaying that obesity is only a matter of willpower is nonsense. There are many factors involved, both internal and external, that affect our eating…READ MOREHow to Become a Meal-Prep Master — Tips from a NutritionistFor beginners and even experts, meal prepping can seem like a chore. Instead of letting that deter you, learn how this nutritionist and registered…READ MORE14 Favorite Foods to Enjoy in Moderation — Plus Nutritious SwapsBy Shahzadi Devje, RD, CDE, MScHere are 14 better-for-you swaps for some popular favorites.READ MORE12 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy LifestyleMedically reviewed by Jenneh Rishe, RNExercising regularly, eating nourishing foods, and reducing your consumption of sugar and alcohol are just some of the recommendations for maintaining…READ MOREAbout UsContact UsPrivacy PolicyPrivacy SettingsAdvertising PolicyHealth TopicsMedical AffairsContent IntegrityNewsletters© 2024 Healthline Media LLC. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information. See additional information.© 2024 Healthline Media LLC. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See additional information. See additional information.AboutCareersAdvertise with usOUR BRANDSHealthlineMedical News TodayGreatistPsych CentralBezzy

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Portion Size Versus Serving Size | American Heart Association

Portion Size Versus Serving Size | American Heart Association

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Portion Size Versus Serving Size

Portion Size Versus Serving Size

Portion size and serving size are often used interchangeably, but they have a distinct and important difference. Portion size is the amount of food you choose to put  on your plate and actually eat. Serving size is the amount of a specific food or drink that people typically consume. Serving sizes are set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found at the top of the Nutrition Fact labels on packaged food and drink to help consumers make informed choices. The serving size is shown as a common household measure appropriate for that food. 

Portion sizes of food prepared outside the home has  increased significantly over the years and exceed federal guidance for dietary guidance and food labels. In addition, eating food out at a restaurant or ordering it for takeout/delivery has become increasingly popular. This contributes to the rise rates of overweight and obesity.

Because larger portion sizes often lead to an excess of calories eaten, consider what’s on your plate to help manage your intake.

So how did it get this way?

A century ago, there were about 3400 calories of food available for every U.S. citizen. Today, there are over 4000 calories available per person—an additional 600 calories, about 20% more available calories. 

Understanding healthy portions can be challenging. Here’s why: 

Many of us don’t know what a healthy portion is.

Restaurants offer extras like breads, chips and other appetizers that add extra calories, sodium and fat but lack any nutritional benefit.

Some meals have portions that are enough for two or more people.

Many convenience foods and drinks are priced lower but packaged in larger sizes to sell more.

Clearing up the confusion.

According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, here are a couple of important definitions:

Portion is how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package or in your own kitchen. A portion is 100 percent under our control. Many foods that come as a single portion actually contain multiple servings.

Serving Size is the amount of food listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts label. So all of the nutritional values you see on the label are for the serving size the manufacturer suggests on the package.

Once we understand the difference, it’s easier to determine how much to serve and easier to teach kids the difference between the two. Learn some suggested servings from each food groups you and your kids can eat at mealtime or between meals.

How can we eat and serve smaller portions?

When cooking at home: Offer the proper “serving” to each member of the family, then put the extra food away. Save leftovers for another meal.

When dining out:  Skip the appetizers and split a large salad or main dish with a friend.

When ordering takeout at home: Eat one slice of pizza instead of two and order a small instead of a medium to split among the family so the pieces are smaller.

Watching movies at home or at the theatre:  Don’t eat while watching TV or a movie or when you’re on the computer. It’s harder to control how much you’re eating if you don’t pay attention to what you’re putting in your mouth, and when. At the movies, share a box of popcorn, and avoid the free-refill tubs and skip the candy.

At snack time: Never eat straight from the bag or box. Measure out snacks, including fruits and veggies, into appropriate portion sizes before giving them to your kids.

All the time: Using a food diary can help you pay closer attention to what you're eating, how much and how often.

You may be surprised to learn these are serving sizes:

1 slice of whole grain bread

1/3 cup cooked rice

1/2 cup cooked pasta

1 small piece of fruit (super-large apples are 2+ servings)

1 wedge of melon

8 fluid oz. 100% fruit juice

1 cup non-fat or low-fat milk

2 oz. cheese (about the size of a domino)

2-3 oz. lean meat, skinless poultry or fish (this is about the size of a deck of cards)

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Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors. See our editorial policies and staff.

Last Reviewed: Dec 18, 2023

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How to Estimate Portion Size: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

How to Estimate Portion Size: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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CategoriesHealthNutrition and Food HealthHealthy EatingHow to Estimate Portion Size

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parts

1

Guessing What a Portion Size Looks Like

2

Following the Portion Size Guides for the Food Groups

3

Controlling Portion Size

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Article Summary

Co-authored by

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS

Last Updated: January 25, 2024

Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Claudia Carberry, RD, MS. Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.

There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 96,564 times.

Your diet can be thrown off balance or you may have difficulty maintaining your weight if your portions get too big. Many people will use a food scale or a measuring cup to be more accurate with portion control. However, it's not realistic to whip out a food scale every time you sit down for a meal. You'll need to guess or estimate what an appropriate portion size looks like. Luckily there are a few tricks that you can use to help you estimate portion sizes with a good deal of accuracy.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Guessing What a Portion Size Looks Like

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