Back to that Nutrition Panel – Serving Size

On every nutrition panel, the first line item highlights Serving Size. 

Be honest with yourself here.  My cereal bowl in the morning certainly contains more than 1 measured cup full of cereal.  I need to recognize that all data reported in the nutrition panel on the side of my cereal box reflects analysis based on 1 cup (considerably LESS than what I’ve served myself). 

Another example – I read the nutrition label on a packaged frozen chicken pot pie at the grocery store recently.  When I looked closely, I noticed that it stated a serving size as 1/2 of the pie, i.e. that tiny box was meant to contain TWO servings.

Who buys a small chicken pot pie and doesn’t eat the whole thing?

It’s important to pay close attention to this very first item on the Nutrition Facts panel, because all further information is linked to the specific amount of food listed.