1. What is a Portion Size Calculator for Diet?

Definition: This calculator determines the appropriate food portion size based on target calories, food energy density, and number of servings.

Purpose: It helps dieters and nutrition-conscious individuals maintain proper portion control for weight management and balanced nutrition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Portion — Food per serving (grams, g)
• Calories — Target calories (kcal)
• E_density — Energy density (kcal/g)
• Servings — Number of servings (dimensionless)

Explanation: The target calories are divided by energy density to get total food weight, then divided by servings to get portion per serving.

3. Importance of Portion Control

Details: Proper portion sizing helps maintain calorie goals, prevents overeating, and ensures balanced nutrient intake.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your target calories, food energy density (default 2.5 kcal/g), and number of servings (default 1). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is energy density in food?
A: Energy density measures how many calories are in each gram of food (kcal/g). High-density foods provide more calories per gram.

Q2: What's a typical energy density value?
A: Vegetables (~0.5 kcal/g), fruits (~0.6 kcal/g), lean proteins (~1.5 kcal/g), carbs (~3.5 kcal/g), fats (~9 kcal/g).

Q3: How do I find a food's energy density?
A: Divide the calories per serving by the serving weight in grams (from nutrition labels).

Q4: Why use portion control in dieting?
A: It helps manage calorie intake without eliminating foods, making diets more sustainable.

Q5: Should I weigh all my food portions?
A: Weighing is most accurate initially, but you can transition to visual estimates after practice.