Health experts reveal recommended portion sizes for favourite foods

CHEESE fans were left shocked after healthcare firm Bupa recently revealed the recommended serving.

The Instagram post went viral as people were horrified by the 30g portion, which is roughly the size of a small matchbox.

We reveal the big contrast between typical sizes and their 'healthy' equivalent — We reveal the big contrast between typical sizes and their ‘healthy’ equivalentCredit: Getty

Bupa revealed their recommended portion of cheese - and it is not a lot — Bupa revealed their recommended portion of cheese – and it is not a lotCredit: BUPA/X

Sun nutritionist Amanda Ursell agrees that the amount may look small but says Bupa is correct in its sizing.

She explains: “This matchbox size portion provides 125 calories and 10.5g of fat.

“The reason for the shocked reaction to this portion is down to steady ‘portion creep’, which has seen weights of everything expand over recent decades.”

And cheddar is not the only thing we get portion control wrong on.

Belgian chocolate cake

A recommended chocolate cake slice is just over half a typical portion

TYPICAL: Big slice (100g) – 447 calories
HEALTHY: Small slice (55g) – 244 calories

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

Stick to just two scoops of ice cream instead of three

TYPICAL: Three scoops – 360 calories
HEALTHY: Two scoops – 240 calories

Brits are eating more fast food than ever, but simple swaps mean you don’t pile on the calories, Getty

Cheese tortilla chips

A small amount of tortilla chips is advised as a recommended portion

TYPICAL: 50g – 248 calories
HEALTHY: 25g – 124 calories

Oven chips, mayo and ketchup

Trim down everything from chips to the condiments

TYPICAL: Chips 250g, ketchup 30g, mayo 28g – 710 calories
HEALTHY: Chips 150g, ketchup 15g, mayo 14g – 403 calories

Coronation chicken

Exactly half the recommended amount is advised

TYPICAL: Four tablespoons – 218 calories
HEALTHY: Two tablespoons – 109 calories

Heinz baked beans

Just consume half the tin of baked beans instead of the whole can

TYPICAL: Most of the tin (310g) – 242 calories
HEALTHY: Half tin (207g) – 162 calories

Jelly babies

TYPICAL: Ten Jelly Babies – 217 calories
HEALTHY: Four Jelly Babies – 87 calories

Spaghetti, pesto & parmesan

Cut down all round to get this meal down to under 500 calories

TYPICAL: Cooked pasta 250g, pesto 96g and Parmesan 20g – 839 calories
HEALTHY: Cooked pasta 170g, pesto 48g and Parmesan 10g – 499 calories

King prawn pasta

TYPICAL: Whole pack (300g) – 958 calories
HEALTHY: Half pack (150g) – 479 calories

Pepperoni pasta

Find someone to share your piza with instead of eating it all

TYPICAL: Entire pizza (385g) – 1,170 calories
HEALTHY: A third of pizza (128g) – 390 calories

Sirloin steak

A healthy portion of steak is said to be just 3.5oz

TYPICAL: 8oz (225g) – 619 calories
HEALTHY: 3.5oz (100g) – 275 calories

Strawberry jam

Spread a thin amount of jam on your toast to keep the calories down

TYPICAL: 30g portion – 76 calories
HEALTHY: 15g portion – 38 calories

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