Everyone deserves good nutrition.
The Portion Balance Coalition is a multi-sector collaborative working towards better nutrition for all through a focus on portions.
What is portion balance?
Focusing on portions takes some of the guesswork out of how to enjoy an eating pattern consistent with a healthy lifestyle. And it’s not just about eating the “right” amount of food and beverages —it’s also about choosing a variety of foods that are satisfying and nutrient-dense.
Our portion balance framework is consistent with the three key dietary principles in the 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and takes into account: volume (quantity), proportionality (variety), and quality (nutrient density).
Volume
It’s human nature to eat when presented with food, and to eat more when presented with more food. The amount we eat and drink can affect our health, and portion sizes have grown by as much as 138% since the 1970s.*
*According to data from the American Journal of Public Health, The Journal of Nutrition, and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Proportionality
Eating a large amount of a nutrient-rich foods that are lower in calorie density can be more satisfying than eating a smaller amount of food that’s lower in nutrients and higher in calorie density.
Quality
Fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy, and fiber-rich whole grains are full of nutrients and part of a healthy lifestyle. Yet, only 1 in 10 US adults get the recommended level of fruits and vegetables; adults and kids also do not get enough whole grains. Most Americans exceed recommendations for added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.
Eat for You
Campaign
Nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this consumer education campaign, we’re using an individualized approach to nutrition that focuses on portion balance and takes the whole person into account.