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Portion size
Expert reviewer, Mr Paul McArdle, Registered Dietitian
Next review due July 2023
A healthy, balanced diet means eating the right types of food, and also making sure you’re getting the right amounts. Eating too much or too little of any of the major food groups can be bad for your health.
Here we recommend portion sizes for the key food groups that will meet an average person’s nutritional and energy requirements. Different people need different amounts, depending on how old you are, whether you’re male or female, and how active you are. If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll need to be particularly careful about portion control. You may need to eat smaller or fewer portions than we suggest here – ask your GP or a dietitian if you’re unsure.
Starchy foods
Starchy foods are our most important source of energy. It’s recommended that you include healthy, wholegrain starchy foods at every meal – they should make up just over a third of your diet.
Here are some suggested amounts that you might aim for at each meal, based on an average adult looking to maintain their weight. Opt for wholegrain, less-processed versions when you can, with less added fat, salt or sugar. This will help you to make sure you get enough fibre, and feel fuller for longer.
- 40g (1.4 oz) of cereal (about 6 tablespoons)
- Two slices of bread/toast
- One bread roll or bagel
- One pitta bread
- Five to six (egg-sized) new potatoes
- 75g (2.6 oz) of uncooked rice or pasta (about 180g (6.3oz) when cooked)
- One medium baked potato (with skin)
Unsure what some of these look like?
It can be difficult to know how much you should be having, so here are some photographs that show you what some of these suggested amounts look like.
This is what 40g of bran flakes looks like in a cereal bowl. You’ll see it’s a bit smaller than what’s often advertised on the front of cereal boxes!
Pasta can be very tricky to gauge, especially spaghetti. 75g is the recommended serving of dry pasta – but what does that look like? Admittedly it can seem like a small amount, but appearances can be deceiving.
When it’s cooked (see below), you can see there’s certainly enough to fill a plate for a satisfying meal.
The same goes for rice – an uncooked serving of 75g can seem small but it expands in size once cooked.
It’s tempting to pick the biggest baked potato at the supermarket, but a medium-sized baked potato is correct. Not too small, not too big.
You can spread the starchy food you eat over the course of a day, as shown in the examples below.
Day one
Breakfast
- 40g (1.4oz) of low-sugar cereal
Lunch
- Two slices of wholegrain bread for a sandwich
Dinner
- Five or six small boiled potatoes
Day two
Breakfast
- Two slices of wholegrain toast
Lunch
- One medium baked potato
Dinner
- Pasta (75g or 2.6oz uncooked)
Day three
Breakfast
- 40g (1.4oz) porridge
Lunch
- One large pitta bread
Dinner
- Rice (75g or 2.6oz uncooked)
You can adjust these amounts to suit your needs. If you’re trying to lose weight, the amount you have at each meal will need to be smaller. If you’re very active, you may need larger portions than this. And if you decide to include most of your day’s quota of starchy foods in one meal, just cut down throughout the rest of the day.
Meat, fish, beans, eggs and other non-dairy proteins
Proteins are important for your body because they’re involved in growth and repair. As well as meat and fish, proteins can come from sources like beans and pulses. Include moderate amounts of protein in your diet – two or three portions throughout the day should be enough to give you what you need.
Here's what counts as a portion.
- 60–90g (2.1–3.2oz) of cooked meat (about the size of a deck of cards)
- 140g (4.9oz) of cooked fish (the size of the palm of your hand)
- Two medium-sized eggs
- A small (200g or 7.1oz) tin of baked beans
- Four tablespoons of lentils
- 100g tofu, soya or other meat alternative
- One tablespoon of peanut butter
- A handful of nuts
When it comes to foods like meat and fish, these weigh less when they’re cooked because they lose water. So, a raw steak that weighs 175g is the equivalent of 130g when cooked.
What does this look like?
This is a roasted chicken breast about the same size as a pack of playing cards.
It can be difficult to judge exactly what a ‘handful’ is – here’s what a mix of almonds and unsalted cashews looks like.
Here are some examples of how you might incorporate protein into your diet.
Day one
Lunch
- A portion of baked beans on your baked potato
Dinner
- Chicken or lentil-based curry
Day two
Breakfast
- Two scrambled eggs
Lunch
- Chicken slices in your sandwich
Day three
Lunch
- Lentil-based soup
Dinner
- Salmon
Try to have two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily fish.
If you eat a lot of red and processed meat, try to limit the amount to 70g (2.5oz) per day. If you know your portion sizes tend to be larger than this, you may find it easier to cut down by making sure you only eat red meat two or three times a week. Red meats include beef, pork, and lamb; processed meats include bacon and burgers. These can be high in saturated fat and salt, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Eating high amounts of red and processed meats can also increase your risk of bowel cancer.
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How healthy are you?Dairy and dairy-free alternatives
You also need to include some dairy foods in your diet (or fortified equivalents if you don’t eat dairy). These foods are an excellent source of calcium, which you need for healthy bones and teeth, as well as being another good source of protein. Have moderate amounts of dairy. Two or three portions a day based on the amounts below should be enough.
Here’s what counts as a portion.
- A 200ml (7floz) glass of milk (or fortified soya, rice or oat milk)
- A carton of yoghurt or fortified soya yoghurt (125ml or 4.4floz)
- 30g (1.1oz) of hard cheese (about the size of a matchbox)
What does this look like?
If you eat cheese and crackers, it can be very easy to have much more than you realise. Here’s what a matchbox-sized portion of cheese looks like.
Be mindful about what size glass you choose. For example, if you choose a pint glass it can be tempting to fill it up. This is what 200ml of milk looks like.
If you pour yoghurt from a large tub, this is about the right amount that you’re aiming for (125ml).
Day one
Breakfast
- Milk on cereal
Lunch
- Low-fat cheese on a baked potato
Day two
Breakfast
- Milk added to porridge
Dinner
- Yoghurt with curry
Day three
Breakfast
- Yoghurt-based smoothie
Dinner
- Grated cheese added to a pasta dish
Remember that the milk on your cereal and in your tea all counts. Go for lower-fat options when you can, such as low-fat cheese or yoghurts, and skimmed or semi-skimmed milk. Choose non-dairy alternative products that are fortified with calcium and unsweetened.
Fruit and vegetables
Aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The amount of fruit and veg you eat should make up just over a third of your diet.
One portion is 80g (2.8oz) of any fresh fruit or vegetable, 30g (1.1oz) of dried fruit or 150ml (5.3floz) of fruit juice or smoothie. Fruit juices and smoothies only count as a maximum of one portion a day, even if they contain more than one type of fruit or vegetable.
Here are some examples of what a portion looks like.
- One medium fruit, such as an apple, orange, pear or banana.
- Two small fruits, such as kiwis, satsumas or plums.
- One large slice of a larger fruit, such as pineapple, or two slices of mango.
- A handful of grapes or berries.
- Three heaped tablespoons of peas, sweetcorn or carrots.
- A dessert bowl of salad.
- 150ml (5.3floz) of fruit juice or smoothie.
- 30g (1.1oz) of dried fruits.
- Three heaped tablespoons of beans or lentils (only counts as a maximum of one per day).
What does this look like?
A handful of grapes makes a good snack.
This is what 150ml of fruit juice looks like in a glass. Remember, fruit juice or smoothie can only count as one of your five-a-day.
With dried fruit, it’s a good idea to use a handful as your guide rather than eating straight out of a packet. That way you know you’re eating the right amount.
Mixed veg is great for adding colour to your meal. This is three heaped tablespoons of mixed veg – it counts as one portion.
This is what two slices of pineapple looks like when diced.
Day one
Breakfast
- Berries or banana on your cereal
Lunch
- Salad leaves in a sandwich
An apple
Dinner
- A tomato-based pasta sauce, with side salad
Day two
Breakfast
- Half a grapefruit with breakfast
Lunch
- Baked beans with baked potato
Two satsumas
Dinner
- Two portions of vegetables
Day three
Breakfast
- Glass of orange juice
Lunch
- Carrot, cucumber and pepper in a wrap
A handful of dried fruit
Dinner
- Spinach added to curry
Strawberries with yoghurt for dessert
Oils and spreads
We need some fat in our diets, but this should mainly come from unsaturated fats. These include sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils, and spreads made from these oils. Aim to have oils or lower-fat spreads based on these oils in place of saturated fats when you can. You still only need limited amounts of these in your diet.
Tips for cutting down portion sizes
If you’re looking for better portion control, try these tips a try to help retrain your brain (and stomach).
- Weigh the portions that you’re used to eating every day – whether it’s cereal, pasta, meat or veg – and compare it to this guide. It may be a bit of an eye-opener and can give you an idea what you need to focus on.
- Use smaller plates or bowls for your meals. A small plate full of food will make you feel like you’re filling up rather than a large plate that’s half empty.
- To resist the temptation of second and third helpings, serve your food on plates instead of putting serving dishes on the table.
- If your plate is looking a bit empty, fill it up with vegetables. And if you’re craving a mid-morning snack, go for a piece of fruit.
- Try a spray oil to help cut down on the amount you use. You should use a lot less.
- Try not to eat while doing something that can distract you, such as working, reading or watching TV. This might make you eat more because you don’t realise you’re full and may eat larger portions.
- Pay more attention to what you eat, making sure you chew each mouthful slowly and thoroughly.
- Have a break after your meal before you have dessert. It takes time for your brain to recognise that your stomach is full. So, wait about 15 to 20 minutes before deciding if you need another course.
- Drinking alcohol stimulates your appetite and will encourage you to eat more. Alcoholic drinks are also high in calories. Cut down on alcohol if you're trying to watch your portion sizes.
Do you know how much should be on your plate? Test your knowledge and understanding by taking our portion size quiz.
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Other helpful websites
- British Dietetic Association
0121 200 8080
www.bda.uk.com - British Nutrition Foundation
020 7557 7930
www.nutrition.org.uk
- British Dietetic Association
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Sources
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- Nutrient requirements. British Nutrition Foundation. www.nutrition.org.uk, revised August 2019
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- Find your balance. Get portion wise! British Nutrition Foundation. www.nutrition.org.uk, published January 2019
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- How to avoid portion size pitfalls to help manage your weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov, page last reviewed 18 August 2015
- McCance and Widdowson’s the composition of foods integrated dataset 2019 user guide. Public Health England. www.gov.uk, published March 2019
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- Colorectal cancer. BMJ Best Practice. bestpractice.bmj.com, last reviewed March 2020
- 8 top tips for portion control. British Heart Foundation. www.bhf.org.uk, accessed 1 May 2020
- Understanding satiety: feeling full after a meal. British Nutrition Foundation. www.nutrition.org.uk, last reviewed July 2017
- Oils and spreads. British Nutrition Foundation. www.nutrition.org.uk, last reviewed December 2016
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Author information
Reviewed by Rachael Mayfield-Blake, Freelance Health Editor, July 2020
Expert reviewer, Mr Paul McArdle, Registered Dietitian
Next review due July 2023
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