Introduction
To control your weight, you need to do more than just choose a healthy mix of foods. You should also look at the kinds of food you eat and how much you eat at a time. This brochure will help you understand how much you need to eat. It also will give you tips on how to control food portions so that you can eat just enough for you.
How much should I eat?
To keep a healthy weight, you need to balance the calories you eat with the calories you burn. People who are more active may burn more calories. Being more active may be a good way to help you offset the calories you eat.
No set number of calories or amount of physical activity will help everyone to lose weight or keep weight off. How many calories you need to eat each day depends on your age, sex, weight, genes, and level of physical activity. For example, a 150-pound woman who burns a lot of calories through intense physical activity several times a week may need to eat more calories than a woman of similar size who is mostly inactive and only goes for a short walk once a week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides information that outlines the number of calories that a person should consider eating based on a number of factors. Check the Resources section at the end of this brochure for links to more information.
What is the difference between a serving and a portion?
A serving size is the amount of food listed on a product's food label and it varies from product to product. A portion is how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package, or at home. Sometimes the serving size and portion size match; sometimes they do not.
For example, according to a food label, 1 cup of macaroni and cheese is one serving. But if you make yourself a large bowl of macaroni and cheese, that portion is much bigger than one serving. The same may be true if you pour yourself a large bowl of cereal for breakfast. You should be the judge of how the portion you choose to eat relates to the serving size noted on the food label.
How can I use the Nutrition Facts food label?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nutrition Facts label (food label) is printed on most packaged foods. The label tells you how many calories and how much fat, protein, sodium (salt), and other nutrients are in one serving of food. Most packaged foods contain more than a single serving.
| Start Here |  |
| Check Calories | |
| Limit these Nutrients | |
| Get Enough of these Nutrients |
A text description of this image is available on a separate page.
Adapted from http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/NFLPM/ucm274593.htm.
Keep in mind that the serving size on the food label is not a suggested amount of food to eat. It is just a quick way of letting you know the calories and nutrients in a certain amount of food. The serving size may be more or less than the amount that you should eat, depending on your age, weight, sex, and activity level.
Serving Size and Servings Per Container
Take a look at the food label for a box of macaroni and cheese in Figure 1. To see how many servings a package has, check the “servings per container” listed on the top part of the label.
The serving size is 1 cup, but the package has 2 servings. This means that if you eat the whole package, you need to multiply the number of calories and nutrients by 2 to find out how many calories you are eating. For example, if you eat 2 servings of this product, you are eating 500 calories, as shown below:
250 calories per serving x 2 servings eaten = 500 calories eaten
Other Helpful Facts on the Label
The food label has other facts about what is in 1 serving of the chosen food. For example, as you can see in the label on page 4, 1 serving of this macaroni and cheese has 3 grams of saturated fat and 3 grams of trans fat, a type of fat that is unhealthy for your heart. The package includes 2 servings. If you eat the whole package, you will be eating 6 grams of saturated fat (2 servings x 3 grams per serving) and 6 grams of trans fat (2 servings x 3 grams per serving). Check the FDA listing in the Resources section for the link to more information on how to use the food label to help you eat healthier.
How can I keep track of how much I am eating?
A food diary can be a good way to keep track of how much you are eating. Write down when, what, how much, where, and why you eat. This action can help you be aware of how much you are eating and the times you tend to eat too much. You can keep a food diary in a notebook, on your cell phone, or on a computer.
Figure 2 shows what 1 day of a person's food diary might look like. As shown in the diary, this person chose relatively healthy portion sizes for breakfast and lunch. At those meals, she ate to satisfy her hunger. She had a large chocolate bar in the afternoon for an emotional reason. She ate because she was bored, not because she was hungry.
By 8 p.m., this person was very hungry and ate large portions of food that were high in fat and calories. She was at a social event and did not realize she was eating so much. If she had made an early evening snack of fruit and fat-free or low-fat yogurt, she might have been less hungry at 8 p.m. and eaten less. By the end of the day, she had eaten a total of 3,930 calories, which is more than most people need to eat in a day. Repeatedly eating excess calories over time can cause weight gain.
If, like the woman in the food diary, you eat even when you are not hungry, try doing something else instead of eating:
- Take a break to walk around the block.
- Read a book or magazine or listen to your favorite music.
- Try doing something with your hands, like knitting or playing cards or checkers.
- Try drinking water or herbal tea without sugar or eating a low-fat snack such as an apple if a craving hits you.
- If you are at work, grab a co-worker on the job and go for a quick walk.
| Time | Food | Amount | Place | Hunger/Reason | Calories* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Coffee, black | 6 fl. oz. | Home | Slightly hungry | 2 |
| Banana | 1 medium | 105 | |||
| Low-fat yogurt | 1 cup | 250 | |||
| 1 p.m. | Turkey and cheese sandwich on whole-wheat bread with mustard, tomato, low-fat cheese, and lettuce | 3 oz. turkey, 1 slice low-fat cheddar cheese, 2 slices bread | Work | Hungry | 363 |
| Potato chips, baked | 1 small bag | 150 | |||
| Water | 16 fl. oz. | — | |||
| 3 p.m. | Chocolate bar | 1 bar (5 oz.) | Work | Not hungry/ Bored | 760 |
| 8 p.m. | Fried potato skins with cheese and bacon | 4 each | Restaurant/ Out with friends |
Very hungry | 667 | Chicken Caesar salad | 2 cups lettuce, 6 oz. chicken, 6 Tbsp. dressing, 3/4 cup croutons | 633 | Breadsticks | 2 large sticks | 226 | Apple pie with vanilla ice cream | 1/8 of a 9-inch pie, 1 cup ice cream | 638 | Soft drink | 12 fl. oz. | 136 |
Total Calories = 3,930
*Estimates are based on the USDA's online tool that measures diet and physical activity (http://www.choosemyplate.gov).
A blank version of the diary for you to copy and use is on page 9 of this document’s PDF file.
Through your diary, you can become aware of the times and reasons you eat less healthy foods or more food than your body needs. This can help as you try to make different choices in the future.
How can I control portions at home?
You do not need to measure and count everything you eat for the rest of your life—just do this long enough to recognize typical serving sizes. Try the ideas below to help you control portions at home:
- Take the amount of food that is equal to one serving, according to the food label, and eat it off a plate instead of eating straight out of a large box or bag.
- Avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities. Pay attention to what you are eating, chew your food well, and fully enjoy the smell and taste of your food.
- Eat slowly so your brain can get the message when your stomach is full.
- Try using smaller dishes, bowls, and glasses. This way, when you fill up your plate or glass, you will be eating and drinking less.
- Control your intake of higher-fat, higher-calorie parts of a meal. Take seconds of vegetables and salads (watch the toppings and dressing) instead of desserts and dishes with heavy sauces.
- When cooking in large batches, freeze food that you will not serve right away. This way, you will not be tempted to finish eating the whole batch before the food goes bad. And you will have ready-made food for another day. Freeze leftovers in amounts that you can use for a single serving or for a family meal another day.
- Try to eat meals at regular times. Skipping meals or leaving large gaps of time between meals may lead you to eat larger amounts of food the next time you eat.
- When buying snacks, go for fruit or single-serving prepackaged items and foods that are lower-calorie options. If you buy larger bags or boxes of snacks, divide the items into single-serve packages right away so you won't be tempted to overeat.
- When you do have a treat like chips or ice cream, measure out only one serving as shown by the food label. Eat only 1/2 cup of ice cream or 1 ounce of chips, eat them slowly, and enjoy them!
How can I control portions when eating out?
Research shows that the more often a person eats out, the more body fat he or she has. Try to prepare more meals at home. Eat out and get takeout foods less often.
Is getting more food for your money always a good value?
Have you noticed that it only costs a few cents more to get larger sizes of fries or soft drinks at restaurants? Getting a larger portion of food for just a little extra money may seem like a good value, but you end up with more food and calories than you need for your body to stay healthy.
Before you buy your next “value combo,” be sure you are making the best choice for your wallet and your health. If you are with someone else, share the large-size meal. If you are eating alone, skip the special deal and just order the smaller (healthier) size.
When eating out, try these tips to help you control portions:
- Check the menu for terms and icons that indicate healthy items, such as low-fat, low-calorie dishes.
- Share your meal, order a half-portion, or order an appetizer as a main meal. Examples of healthier appetizers include grilled or steamed seafood, minestrone soup, tomato or corn salsas, and vegetable salads with dressing on the side.
- Stop eating when you no longer feel hungry. It may take 15 minutes or longer for your stomach to signal to your brain that you are full. Put down your fork and focus on enjoying the setting and your friends or family for the rest of the meal.
- Avoid large beverages such as “super size” sugar-sweetened soft drinks. They have a large number of calories. Instead, try drinking water with a slice of lemon. If you want to drink soda, choose a calorie-free beverage or a small glass of regular soda. Other options are small glasses of slightly sweetened iced tea or lemonade.
On the Road Again? Tips for Traveling
- Pack a small cooler of foods that are hard to find on the road, such as fresh fruit, sliced raw vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat yogurt.
- Include a few bottles of water instead of sugar-sweetened soda or juice.
- Bring dried fruit, nuts, and seeds to snack on. Since these foods can be high in calories, measure and pack small portions (1/4 cup) in advance.
- If you stop at a restaurant, try to choose one that serves a variety of foods such as salads, grilled or steamed entrees, or vegetables.
- Consider drinking water or low-fat or fat-free milk instead of sugar-sweetened soft drinks with your meal.
- If you choose a higher-fat option like fries or pizza, order the small size. Or, you can ask for a single slice of pizza with vegetable toppings such as mushrooms or peppers.
How can I control portions when money is tight?
Eating better does not have to cost a lot of money. Here are some ways you can keep track of your portions without adding extra costs to your grocery bill:
- Buy meats in bulk. When you get home, divide the meat into single-serving packages and freeze for later use.
- Buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad. Check out your local farmers market, as it may be less expensive than a grocery store.
- Watch your portion sizes. Try to stick to the serving sizes listed on the food label of prepackaged foods. Doing so can help you get the most out of the money you spend on that food. You can also better control the fat, sugar, sodium, and calories you eat.
Remember…
The amount of calories you eat affects your weight and health. In addition to selecting a healthy variety of foods, look at the size of the portions you eat. Choosing healthy foods and keeping portion sizes sensible may help you eat just enough for you.
Resources
Additional Reading from the Weight-control Information Network
Active at Any Size. Provides ideas and tips on how people who are overweight or obese can be physically active. Focuses on handling common barriers and setting goals. Available in English online at http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/active.htm.
Better Health and You: Tips for Adults. Offers general information and practical steps for starting a healthy eating plan, maintaining a healthy weight, developing habits of regular physical activity, and learning the health risks of being overweight. Part of the series Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan. Available in English and Spanish online at http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/index.htm.
The World Around You. Provides tips on how to use the world around you, no matter who you are or where you live, to stay healthy and fit. Available in English online at http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/way.htm.
Walking…A Step in the Right Direction. Explains how to start a walking program. Also presents a sample walking program and shows stretches for warming up and cooling down. Available in English and Spanish online at http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/ publications/index.htm.
Additional Resources
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Offers ideas on different types and amounts of physical activity and how they can benefit you. Available at http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. HHS and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Contains information and tips on healthy eating, shopping, and cooking. Available at http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines.
National Diabetes Education Program. Provides information about diabetes and obesity prevention and control. Visit http://www.yourdiabetesinfo.org or phone 1–888–693–6337.
Nutrition.gov. Offers a gateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for consumers. Available at http://www.nutrition.gov.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. ChooseMyPlate website. USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Provides many resources on healthy eating, including interactive tools to help you find out how many calories and how much physical activity you need. Available at http://www.choosemyplate.gov.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website. Offers several resources and tools for using the Nutrition Facts label. Available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/NFLPM/ucm274593.htm.
Inclusion of resources is for information only and does not imply endorsement by NIDDK or WIN.
Why should I participate in clinical trials?
Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For more information, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). WIN provides the general public, health professionals, and the media with science-based, up-to-date, culturally relevant materials and tips. Topics include healthy eating, barriers to physical activity, portion control, and eating and physical activity myths. Publications produced by WIN are reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. Delia Smith West, Ph.D., of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, reviewed the updated version of this publication.
This publication is not copyrighted. WIN encourages users of this brochure to copy and share as many copies as desired.
Order FREE publications at http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
NIH Publication No. 09–5287
June 2009
Updated March 2012
