A low-carb diet relies on knowing portion sizes to help you eat the proper quantities of the proper foods. To determine the number of low-carb servings you're eating, you need to estimate portion sizes. You may be surprised to see that normal portion sizes are a lot smaller than you think, as the comparisons in the following table show:
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | About the size of a cupcake wrapper |
| 1 cup | About the size of a tight fist or a tennis ball |
| 1 medium fruit | About the size of a tight fist or tennis ball |
| 1 medium potato | About the size of a computer mouse |
| 1 ounce cheese | About the size of your thumb or a pair of dice |
| 3 ounces meat | About the size of the palm of a woman's hand or a deck of cards |
| 2 tablespoons reduced-fat salad dressing | About the size of a Ping-Pong ball |
| 1 teaspoon oil or butter | About the size of the tip of a thumb |