Forget measuring cups, clunky scales and painful pinches with that body fat caliper. What if a tool to better health were right there in front of you? According to one nutritional expert, you need look no farther than the palm of your hand.
“Most Americans are tired of decoding nutrition. It is easy to eat healthfully when you have the right information and nutritious foods at your fingertips, literally,” explains nutritionist Nancy Bennett, MS, RD, CDE. “The hand is a very convenient tool for guiding portion sizes.”
From pinky to fist, each person’s hand is proportional to his or her overall size and body makeup, making it a go-anywhere guide for better portion sizes. Here are a few “handy” tips:
• Fist (1/2 cup): Use your fist to judge one recommended serving of cooked pasta.
• Thumb (1 tsp): Use the tip of your thumb to measure a pat of butter. Use the length from the knuckle of your thumb to its tip to judge a serving of salad dressing.
• Palm (3 oz): Use your palm to judge a recommended serving size of lean protein. Evidence shows that chicken contains less saturated fat than...