Serving Size of Foods

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that each person eat a certain number of servings from each food group daily for a balanced diet.

Grains

Eat 6 to 11 servings of grains every day. One slice of bread or 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta counts as a serving.

Vegetables

Eat 3 to 5 servings of vegetables a day, such as 1 cup raw or cooked vegetables or 1 cup of leafy greens.

Fruit

Eat 2 to 4 servings of fruit per day, such as 1 medium-size piece of fruit or 1/2 cup of cooked or chopped fruit.

Milk

Drink or eat 2 to 3 servings of milk per day. This could be 1 cup of milk or 1 ½ oz. of cheese---a 1-inch square cube.

Protein

Eat 2 to 3 servings of meat per day, such as 1/2 cup of beans or tofu, 1 egg, or 2 to 3 oz. of meat. A portion of meat the size of a cassette tape equals 2 to 3 oz.

Tip

Go to the MyPyramid website for their interactive guide to the new food pyramid (see Resources).

References

• FDA Bulletin on Serving Sizes

Resources

• MyPyramid website