The serving size for any food isn’t “one size fits all.” It depends on numerous factors like the food group, shape and nutrients provided. I’ll layout your standard fruit serving sizes and delve into the nitty-gritty details of some not-so-traditional foods (like those squeezable fruit pouches) so you’ll know what one serving of fruit actually is.
The Recommendations
According to the USDA’s MyPlate, any fruit or 100% fruit juice can make up a serving of fruit. Fresh, canned, frozen, freeze-dried, dried, whole, cut up and pureed fruit all count. How much fruit you need each day varies by gender, age, and level of physical activity. Here are the guidelines for men and women ages 19 and older:
Women:
- 19 to 30 years: 2 cups
- 31 years and older: 1 ½ cups
Men:
- 19 years and older: 2 cups
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- Carrageenan is on the ingredients list of many products in the dairy aisle, but what is it?
This ingredient is found in foods like ice cream, jelly and even infant formula. Find out what it does and if it’s safe to eat.
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- What's this movie night treat made with?
There’s no better snack for movie night at home than a bucket of buttery popcorn. But you may think twice about the microwave stuff after we tell you about and ingredient it contains, diacetyl, and the trouble it has caused.
What is it?
Diacetyl was first synthesized more than 80 years ago and can now be found in about 6,000 food products. It’s used as a preservative in unsalted butter to lengthen shelf life, but higher amounts are added to butter-flavored products like microwave popcorn, cooking oils and sprays and margarine.
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- Food labels don't always tell the whole story -- Bonnie Taub-Dix tells you how to read between the lines.
Want the inside scoop on label reading? We spoke to registered dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix, author of the new label-decoding book Read It Before You Eat It. Check out her responses to Healthy Eats’ reader questions, and find out the biggest mistakes shoppers make.
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- Don't fall for food label tricks -- be a savvy shopper with our tips.
Many folks read food labels to gain better insight on the foods they choose. However, with so many claims plastered on labels, things can get really confusing. Even worse, food companies use these claims to push certain products and make you think they’re healthier than they really are. We’ve rounded up the top 10 food label boobie traps.
10 food label tricks »
- Decode labels to find the healthiest whole-grain crackers.
Food labels can be so misleading that you (almost) need a nutrition degree to decode them. But don’t worry – we’re putting our expertise at work to help clear up some of the confusion. First up, we’re taking on the snack aisle. Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid) when buying whole-grain crackers.
Decoding whole-grain cracker labels »
- Learn Which Food Additives to Avoid
Our food is laden with additives, many times in order to preserve it. But some of the disadvantages of these substances outweigh the benefits. Here are the top 5 that made our list — we’ll let you decide if they’re worth it.
See all 5 additives to avoid »
- Olestra is a common ingredient in fat-free chips.
When I was in graduate school, some of my fellow dietetic students tracked down one of the first stores where the nonfat fried chips were being sold. The employee that answered the phone explained how he’d downed an entire package and had a horrible stomach ache (though he was a bit more descriptive of his symptoms). From that day on, I knew chips fried in Olestra weren’t all they were cracked up to be.
Get the scoop on Olestra »
- Pectin: Is it Good or Bad?
You’ve seen it on hundreds of labels and may have even used it in your own kitchen — learn all the need-to-know facts about this additive.
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You’ll this food additive in a variety of sweet foods — jams, gelatin desserts, candy and ice cream, to name a few. Luckily, it’s safe. Here’s some info on how it’s made and why it’s used.
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