The James Logan Courier

By Leslie Garcia
The Dallas Morning News (MCT)

Chances are, the restaurant platter o' pasta plunked down in front of you is indeed a recommended serving size for one. One family of four, that is.

That said, if we want to keep our weight under control, we need to know serving sizes.


Try these handy-dandy measuring equivalents from the Runner's World March issue.

One caveat: Please, do not actually spoon beans into your cupped hand to measure the beans for your taco. These are strictly visual guidelines.
1. One hand, cupped: A half-cup of pasta, rice, berries or beans, or an ounce of nuts.
2. One hand, palmed: Three ounces of cooked meat or fish or canned tuna.
3. Two hands, cupped: One cup of flaky cereal, soup, chili or Chinese food, or one ounce of pretzels or chips.
4. Two thumbs, together: One tablespoon of salad dressing, cream cheese, peanut butter or butter.
5. One thumb: One ounce of cheese.

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