Table 1 Food models used to estimate food portion sizes in food diary
Model/shape | Range of sizes | Example of types of foods models could be used for |
|---|---|---|
Bread-shaped slices | 7 different size slices of differing thicknesses | Bread, lasagne, shepherd’s pie |
Sticks | 5 different lengths | Carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, green beans, sliced pepper |
Chips | Normal cut and French fries | Chips |
Spheres | 5 sizes | Apples, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes |
Pie wedges | 12 sizes | Pie, cake, pizza |
Sausage-shaped oblongs | 5 sizes | Sausages, carrots |
Biscuit shapes | 10 common sizes/shapes | Biscuits, cake bars |
Rectangular oblongs | 10 sizes | Cheese slices, cake bars, chocolate |
Small oval shapes | 11 sizes | Sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, salad cream. Peas, tomato slices, cucumber slices |
Large oval shapes | 16 sizes | Used to show how much the food covered the plate. Can be piled to show height of food on plate. For foods such as baked beans, pasta sauce, pasta, curry, rice. |
Spoons | 5 sizes: serving spoon, tablespoon, dessertspoon, soup spoon and teaspoon | Jam, mayonnaise, sauces, vegetables, baked beans, grated cheese |
Cups | 3 different sizes with graded sides to indicate fill level | Tea, coffee, other drinks |
Glasses | 5 different sizes with graded sides to indicate fill level | Any drink |
Bowls | 2 different sizes with graded sides to indicate fill level | Soup, cereals, pasta, rice |