{"id":3811,"date":"2025-03-19T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.tops.org\/wellness-wednesday\/?p=3811"},"modified":"2025-03-14T14:48:38","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T19:48:38","slug":"portions-vs-servings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tops.org\/wellness-wednesday\/portions-vs-servings\/","title":{"rendered":"Portions vs. Servings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many TOPS members, deciding how to use your daily exchanges is typically going to align with the portions<\/em> of each food and\/or condiment(s) that are a part of individual meals and snacks. However, when selecting recipes to feed a whole family or several guests, the number of servings<\/em> may be equally important. Which is why using the words portion<\/em> and serving<\/em> interchangeably is incorrect. Yet this is a common mistake that crops up in casual conversation or on novice home chef blogs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the American Heart Association<\/a> (AHA), a serving <\/em>is “a measured amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk” labeled on food and beverages based on a 2,000-calorie diet. In contrast, the AHA defines a portion as<\/a> “how much food you choose to eat at one time, whether in a restaurant, from a package or in your own kitchen.” Calculating portions is less straightforward than quantifying servings. There are a lot of products that come in packaging that appear to be a single portion<\/em>, but according to the nutrition label, contain more than one serving<\/em>. This is also why many people find the Exchange System to be quite helpful when determining portion sizes. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Portions<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Although they have been gradually simplified over the years, nutrition labels<\/a> should still be read carefully to ensure accurate comprehension of the information provided. For example, the line \u201cAdded Sugars\u201d under \u201cTotal Carbohydrates\u201d is listed in grams, despite the daily recommendation limits still being frequently specified in teaspoons. It is normal to occasionally feel confused or frustrated by all the “number crunching” involved with meal planning. But instead of opting to forego tracking your protein, fat, carbs, dairy and\/or sodium intake, pause to ponder if there is a way you can make the process easier.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain tools currently available in the TOPS Store that might be useful include:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n