1\/2 cup of dry whole wheat fusilli pasta (40g) = 1 cup cooked<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThis is helpful to know when it\u2019s difficult to use your hand to measure a cooked food.<\/p>\n
What to do with foods that don\u2019t fit?<\/h3>\n
Some items don\u2019t fit well into the hand-size portion system. It\u2019s not perfect. No single system is. It\u2019s meant to provide practical and actionable guidelines.<\/p>\n
Most notably problematic are liquids.<\/p>\n
Dairy<\/h4>\n
Cow\u2019s milk and non-Greek yogurt are tricky as they\u2019re a pretty even mix of all 3 macros or can vary depending on the fat level someone chooses (e.g. whole, low fat, skim, etc.).<\/p>\n
Ultimately, we suggest making that decision based on the fat or carbohydrate content of the milk or yogurt you\u2019re consuming.<\/p>\n
Generally, consider 1 cup (8 oz) of whole milk products a \u201cthumb\u201d of fat. (Even though it\u2019s larger than a thumb and also provides protein and carbs).<\/p>\n
Anything lower in fat (e.g. 0-2%) is generally considered a cupped hand of carbs (while also providing fats and protein).<\/p>\n
A cup of anything highly sweetened (e.g. chocolate milk, strawberry yogurt) is generally considered a cupped hand of carbs (while also providing fats and protein).<\/p>\n
So what happens in this situation: You have a full-fat Greek yogurt or whole milk that\u2019s highly sweetened? Is it a fat or carb? Think of it this way: If it\u2019s already full-fat, you know it\u2019s a thumb of fat. But if a lot of sugar is also added to it, then it\u2019s also<\/em> a cupped hand of carbs.<\/p>\nThe key is to pick an approach, and apply it consistently. This is probably more important than the actual classification itself. (Remember, the system already has built-in buffers: It assumes your protein, fat, and carb sources contain smaller amounts of the other macros.)<\/p>\n
Cookies, ice cream, chips (and other compound foods)<\/p>\n
With naturally occurring or minimally processed foods, it\u2019s usually best to assign only one hand portion to a food. But with these highly-processed \u201ccompound\u201d foods, you\u2019ll want to assign two (or more) hand portions. Because just like dairy products that are full-fat and highly sweetened, they count as both fat and carbs. An easy way to account for them: one handful is equal to one thumb of fat and one cupped hand of carbs.<\/p>\n
Soda<\/h4>\n
Again, a serving of soda doesn\u2019t really fit into a cupped hand. Instead, consider a 12-ounce can of soda as a cupped hand of carbs. Certainly, 8 ounces would be preferable from the standpoint of physical size (and carbohydrate total), but 12 ounces really simplifies the size and math, as these beverages come pre-packaged this way. (This is similar to how we account for bananas, apples, oranges, pears, and other fruits, since they\u2019re \u201cpre-packaged\u201d by nature.)<\/p>\n
Nut Milks<\/h4>\n
Nut milks are much like cow\u2019s milk above. They tend to provide a mix of macros, depending on the source, and classification would also depend on whether or not they\u2019re sweetened.<\/p>\n
Generally, unsweetened versions (like almond milk) don\u2019t count as anything, as they typically only have about 30 to 40 calories in a whole cup (8 ounces), and are often consumed in relatively small amounts. A sweetened version, however, would be considered a cupped hand of carbs.<\/p>\n
Again, the key is to pick an approach and follow it consistently.<\/p>\n
Alcohol<\/h4>\n
Alcohol generally should be its own category, as the majority of its calories are derived from its alcohol content (7 kcal \/ g), not its carb content. This applies to pretty much all alcohol, be it light beer, microbrew \/ craft beer, wine, and spirits (although some microbrews \/ craft beer and dessert wines can contain quite a few carbs).<\/p>\n
However, many folks like to put alcohol in the carb category, which can work, too. Again, whatever method you prefer can work; just follow it consistently.<\/p>\n
Note that most alcohol is about 100-150 calories per serving. If it has a sweetened additive (think margarita, or alcohol + tonic), then it\u2019s adding a whole lot more sugar. So count that as a serving (or more) of alcohol and one (or more) cupped hands of carbs too.<\/p>\n
How do I account for mixed-food meals?<\/h3>\n
It gets tricky with mixed-food meals, like soups and chilis. You simply have to eyeball it, and make your best guess, especially if you didn\u2019t make it yourself.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the general goal is to get a protein, veggie, quality carb, and\/or healthy fat in each portion. This is relatively easy to do when making it yourself. When made by others, simply guesstimate as well as you can. Most importantly, if the goal is anything other than weight gain, eat slowly and mindfully, until satisfied.<\/p>\n
Often, meals like this are a mix of protein, carbs, and fats, but are a bit lower in veggies. Adding a vegetable on the side can be very helpful. And adding additional protein can also be helpful if the meal seems to have a greater proportion of carbs and fats.<\/p>\n
Legumes and lentils: protein or carb?<\/h3>\n
Legumes and lentils both contain protein and carbs, so where should they be counted?<\/p>\n
Answer: It depends on the meal itself and\/or the eating style of the individual. If someone is fully plant-based\/vegan, then it\u2019s likely the legumes or lentils will count as their protein source, since those are probably the most protein-dense foods they\u2019re consuming. But they can also count as both\u2026 under certain conditions.<\/p>\n
Our suggestion: Choose the most protein-rich food (assuming there is one) as your protein source, and slot the other items from there.<\/p>\n
Examples:<\/p>\n
\n- Chicken with beans, broccoli and olive oil.<\/li>\n
- Beans with rice, broccoli and olive oil.<\/li>\n
- Beans x 2 with broccoli and olive oil.<\/li>\n
- Rice with broccoli and olive oil<\/li>\n
- Beans with broccoli and olive oil<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In example 1, chicken is the protein (the most protein-rich part of the dish), beans are the carbs, broccoli is the vegetable, and olive oil is the fat.<\/p>\n
In example 2, beans are the protein (the most protein-rich part of the dish), rice is the carbs, broccoli is the vegetable, and olive oil is the fat.<\/p>\n
In example 3, one serving of beans would count as protein, and the other serving would count as carbs. In this scenario, it gets more difficult because it\u2019s less clear-cut than the first two examples.<\/p>\n
In example 4, there isn\u2019t a protein-rich food, just a carb, vegetable, and fat.<\/p>\n
In example 5, it would depend on the eater. Omnivore? Then we\u2019d count the beans as a carb. Plant-based? Then we\u2019d count the beans as a protein.<\/p>\n
How do I quantify my exercise?<\/h3>\n
In using the calorie, portion, and macro calculator above, you\u2019ll see the terms gentle, moderate, and strenuous. These describe the intensity of your activity.<\/p>\n
Use the guide below to gauge your activity levels. When in doubt, it\u2019s better to underestimate your activity rather than overestimate it<\/strong>.<\/p>\nModerate to Strenuous Activity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Resistance training<\/li>\n
- Interval or Circuit training<\/li>\n
- Crossfit<\/li>\n
- Running or jogging<\/li>\n
- Rowing<\/li>\n
- Cycling<\/li>\n
- Swimming<\/li>\n
- Team sports (e.g. basketball, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Hiking<\/li>\n
- Jump Rope<\/li>\n
- Group classes (spin, dance, etc.) and bootcamps<\/li>\n
- Yoga (power, bikram)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Gentle Activity <\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Walking<\/li>\n
- Yoga (hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Pilates<\/li>\n
- Golfing<\/li>\n
- Biking, swimming or cycling at a leisurely pace or for pleasure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Example 1:<\/strong> Let\u2019s say your week includes:<\/p>\n