How have portion sizes changed over the past twenty years, and why is this important to understand when conducting a diet history?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Portion sizes have increased significantly in size over the past twenty years, in some cases more than doubling. It is important for the clinician taking the diet history to have a good understanding of standard portions, because many patients experience portion distortion and are not aware of what a standard portion size should be. Because it is often difficult to use portion measurements like "1 cup" or "3 oz," portion guides can be useful. Using hands or typical household items as a reference can help ensure that reported servings actually reflect what the patient ate.