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Serving Sizes Excerpt from December 1999 newsletter Deanna Franke
Each year around this time, friends and family gather to share good times, gifts, holiday cheer and a holiday feast or two or three… Before you know it, your holiday clothing seems to be getting tighter and tighter. You tried your hardest to make the right food choices, yet still you gained weight. It is so tempting to just give up at this point and, once more, resolve on December 31st to “go on a diet”.
What if you could enjoy all the foods you love during the holidays and still have the body to wear your most flattering New Years Eve party outfit? Well you can. The problem is most likely not what you are eating but how much of it you consume. Exercise also plays an important role in the whole equation.
Many of us watch what we eat and exercise on a fairly regular basis for most of the year, yet, when the holiday season comes, somehow our habits change. When visiting with loved ones, we eat more. We don’t always realize when we are full. With all of the visiting going on, and the weather getting colder, it’s easy to put off exercise as well.
As with the rest of the year, using the Food Guide Pyramid can be a great help. Also, don’t forger to exercise! Take it in doors if necessary.
The following is a guide to follow that will give you an idea of what a serving size of some popular holiday food relay consists of:
A serving of turkey is equal to the size of a regular deck of cards. (choose white meat)
A serving of mashed potatoes is equal to the size of your fist.
A serving of stuffing is ½ cup, about the size of ½ a medium apple.
A serving of pumpkin pie is about 1/8 of a 9-inch pie tin.
A serving of wine is ½ of a small wine glass.
A serving of cheese is about the size of 4 dice. |
