Portion Size vs. Serving Size: What’s the Difference?

The two words sound alike but mean different things.

Serving size

A serving is a standard amount used on nutrition labels so products can be compared. It is not a recommendation for how much you should eat.

Portion size

A portion is how much you actually put on your plate. It might be one serving, half a serving or three.

Why it matters

If you eat a whole package that contains multiple servings, you also eat multiple times the calories and nutrients listed on the label.

Simple tips

• Check servings per container before eating
• Serve food on a plate instead of eating from the bag
• Use smaller plates and bowls
• Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues

The goal is awareness, not perfection.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. See our Disclaimer.