Estimating the correct portion size has become somewhat of a challenge as packaged foods and restaurant meals have increased in size. Conversely, portion size, which is the amount an individual should eat to remain healthy, has not increased. A few tips to calculating portion size include using portion-sized containers, using portion separated plates, and meeting with a dietician to see for yourself what portion sizes actually look like.

Many people begin to focus on portion size when they are trying to lose weight or generally improve their health in some way. This can be tricky if you dine out often, especially since many over-sized entrées can be tempting. For most individuals, however, it can be disastrous to the body to consume 1,000 calories or more in a single sitting, which is the approximate caloric value of many restaurant-sized entrées.

The correct portion size for meat, fish, and other proteins is approximately three ounces, which is about the size of a person's three middle fingers. An appropriate amount of fruit is one-half cup for most fruits. A portion size of pasta amounts to one cup. Many restaurants serve as much as four cups of pasta for one entrée.

Individuals with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, compulsive eating, and disordered eating, may have a distorted sense of body size, as well as portion distortion. Portion distortion is a term that refers to disconnect between the amount an individual should be eating and the amount he or she thinks he or she should be eating. It can be important for you or someone you know who is facing an eating disorder to seek help from a doctor or registered dietician.

Registered dieticians are clinicians trained to help people recognize their eating patterns and relearn how to eat healthfully. This includes learning about correct portion sizes to lose weight, regain weight, or to address certain medical conditions. These types of professionals can also help you establish a diet plan or steer you toward resources that can help support you in your weight-management goals.

In addition to medical help, there are a variety of products on the market available to help consumers estimate portion sizes better. Plastic containers with lids and built-in measuring devices can help people who need to take lunch on the go but don't want to give in to the caloric temptations usually related to fast food. Lunch-sized plates that are portioned off to indicate the correct proportion of grains to protein, vegetables, and fruits may also be helpful to people trying to lose weight.