Kitchen Lessons · Eating Well
How Much Is a Portion?
The short answer
Your hand is the only measuring tool you need. A palm of protein, a fist (or two) of vegetables, a cupped handful of grains, and a thumb of fats. It travels with you, and it scales to your body.
The hand guide
Palm — a portion of protein (chicken, fish, beans). Fist — a portion of vegetables, and more is only better. Cupped handful — a portion of grains or starch. Thumb — a portion of fat, like oil, nut butter or cheese.
Why hands beat scales
Your hand is proportional to you. A bigger person has a bigger hand and bigger needs; a smaller person, smaller. It self-adjusts in a way a one-size number on a package never can — and it's always with you.
Gina's tip
This isn't about restriction. It's a quick gut-check so a plate feels balanced without you ever weighing a thing.