What Is a Serving Size of Meat?

When you try to eat in a healthy and conscious manner, it is often difficult to determine how much food is too much. One important aspect to consider is the proper serving size of a piece of meat.

Size

It is recommended that a proper serving size of poultry, fish or meat is about 3 ounces.

Easy Comparisons

If a scale is not available, it is easy to estimate the serving size of meat by comparing the slice to a deck of cards or the palm of your hand.

Food Pyramid

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the amount of meat one should consume daily varies by gender and age. Grown women should eat between 5 and 5 1/2 ounces daily, while men should consume between 6 and 6 1/2 ounces.

Considerations

When measuring a serving size of meat, it is important to note that you should gauge the size of meat by the size of a woman's hand--this will keep portions from becoming excessively large. Also, you can allow for more or less meat in your diet depending on activity level.

Significance

By using proper portion control for meat as well as other foods, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

References

• USDA website

Resources

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology - serving sizes