Handy diagram - portion sizes guide
2nd Crease
1st Crease
Outstretched hand
Thumb
Palm of hand
Produced by Registered Dietitians working in Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Nutrition and Dietetic Services
© Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust October 2012 ref: 0577 Review date 2014
Handy portions sizes guide
When estimating portion sizes, try using something you are never without... your hand!
Bread, rice potatoes and pasta
1 slice of bread (medium /large)
Rice, pasta (cooked)
1 slice of bread (small)
Mashed potato
Boiled potato
Jacket potato
Chips
Chapatti
Pitta
Naan
Breakfast cereal
Crackers/crispbread, oatcakes
1 x outstretched hand
1 x palm of hand
1 x palm of hand
1 x palm of hand
1 x palm of hand
1 x fist size
Up to 1st crease of hand
1 x outstretched hand
1 x outstretched hand
1 x outstretched hand
2 x cupped handful
1 x palm of hand
Meat, fish and beans
Meats
Poultry
Oily fish
White fish
Processed meats - sausages
• 2 x thin
• 1 x thick
• burgers (¼1b)
Nuts
Beans and dahl
1 thin slice to 1st crease of hand
2 slices each to 1st crease of hand
1 x palm of hand
To 2nd crease of hand
2 fingers
2 fingers
1 x palm of hand
1 x cupped handful
1 x palm of hand
Milk and dairy foods
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Yoghurt / fromage frais
Milk
Length of thumb
1 x cupped handful
1 x 125g pot
1
/3 pint / 190mls
Fruit and vegetables
Portion of vegetables
Whole portion of fruit e.g. apple, pear, orange
Small fruits e.g. plums, tangerine x 2, grapes
Dried fruits
Sweetcorn and peas
Fruit juice (100ml)
Salad
Tinned fruit
1 x cupped hand
1 x cupped hand
1 x palm of hand
½ palm of hand
1 x cupped hand
1 x small glass
2 x palm of hand
1 x palm of hand