If there is one datum that throws off the entire purpose of the nutrition facts panel, it has got to be the serving size. We take a quick glance at the calories and fat content, but often don’t register that the serving size  is not even close to what we actually consume. As a result we (usually) end up consuming much more calories than we think.

In a recent consumer survey by Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert, a full 92% of consumers said they find it hard to relate what they eat to the printed ‘serving size’ on the package.

The FDA mandates that serving size appear in 2 formats – a weight, and a easily assessable household measure. For example – 3 ounces, 1 cookie. Or 27 grams, half a cup. But in the case of some products, the values don’t make sense.

Here are a few of our “favorite” examples:

• A serving of Oreo’s is a mere 3 cookies. Hah.
• Fig Newtons – 2 cookies. Double hah.
• Leading brand potato chips serving size is 14 or 16 chips, depending on the package size. Alternatively it’s 1 ounce. Show me an ounce of chips.
• A cereal serving size of 1 ounce. Most people consume 50% more at least.
• Soft drinks. a serving is 8 fl ounce (1 cup), but many single serve bottles are twice that size.
• Ice cream – half a cup. What is that, a third of a scoop?

Supposedly, the serving sizes are based on the average of what people consume. In the US, not Lilliput. But most manufacturers try to print the lowest number they can get away with in order to present a more healthy product.

What to do at the supermarket:

Take a moment to picture the serving size as depicted on a product’s nutrition facts panel. Look at the number of servings per container. Does it make sense? What will be the calorie / sugar / sodium count if you account for double the portion size? Still lookin’ like a healthy option?

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