How much is 4 oz? (approx.)

ajbeans
ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
edited September 23 in Food and Nutrition
I don't have a food scale. I'm making a whole roasted chicken tonight, and it says a serving size is 4 oz., which is awesome... but I have no idea how much that would be. Can anybody give me an approximation? Like, is a drumstick 4 oz? Or half of a breast? I'm not concerned with exacts, but I'd like to have some kind of concept of what a serving size is.

Replies

  • shanolap
    shanolap Posts: 1,204 Member
    I would say half a breast is 4oz.

    PS: I highly suggest that you buy a food scale. I have a cheap one that cost $12 and works perfect for me!
  • Id say guessing its bigger then your fist approximately!!
  • LFern
    LFern Posts: 141
    I was told "the size of a deck of cards" is a healthy portion.

    In liquid it is 1/2 Cup.
  • udallmom101
    udallmom101 Posts: 564 Member
    4 ozs. is approximately the size of a deck of cards. That is what I have always been told. I did go out and by a scale and I use it daily. They have a pretty cheap basic one at Wal-Mart.
  • mlaugh
    mlaugh Posts: 30
    deck of cards
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    A serving of protein is 3 oz. which is about the size of a small pack of tissues or a pack of cigarettes.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    Thanks, that helps a lot. I do plan on buying a food scale, but payday is once a month around here, so it's going to have to wait. I can work with the deck of cards thing for now. :)
  • sherylhs
    sherylhs Posts: 141 Member
    Hi!

    I too second the idea of investing in a scale; I love mine. In the mean time I found this on the Internet and you may find it helpful:

    Yahoo... to be exact...


    3-4 oz. is the size of the inside of your hand (palm).

    Food: 1 Serving
    1 Serving Item of Equivalent Size
    Fruit: 1 Medium 1 Baseball
    Fruit juice: 6 fluid oz. Juice glass
    Vegetables: 1/2 cup Bulb part of a light bulb
    Bagel: 1/2 small 1/2 of a packaged English muffin
    Bread: toast 1 slice Slice from standard loaf
    Cold Breakfast Cereal: 1 cup (8 oz) Standard teacup
    Pasta or rice: 1/2 cup cooked Cupped palm
    Meat, chicken, fish: 3 oz. Palm of a woman’s hand
    Beans (kidney, pinto, etc.): 1/2 cup (4 oz) Bulb part of a light bulb
    Eggs: 1 (replaces 1 oz. meat) 1 Large egg
    Peanut butter: 2 tablespoons Size of 1 whole walnut shell
    Cheese: 1 ounce (oz) 2 dominos
    Milk, yogurt: 1 cup Standard yogurt container

    Soy milk: 1 cup
    Standard yogurt container

    Chips, snack foods: 1 ounce
    (about 1/2 cup)

    FATS


    Butter: 1 teaspoon (tsp.)
    1 pat

    Salad dressing: 1 tablespoon (T or tbs)
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Sugar: 1 teaspoon

    1 packet

    Cream Cheese: 1 tablespoon
    1 packet

    Whipping Cream (Light): 1 tablespoon
    Size of 1 marshmallow

    Half and Half : 1 tablespoon
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Most beverage glasses are 12 oz. or greater in size.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    Wow Sheryl, that's awesome! Thanks! I'm going to print that out.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,338 Member
    Hi!

    I too second the idea of investing in a scale; I love mine. In the mean time I found this on the Internet and you may find it helpful:

    Yahoo... to be exact...


    3-4 oz. is the size of the inside of your hand (palm).

    Food: 1 Serving
    1 Serving Item of Equivalent Size
    Fruit: 1 Medium 1 Baseball
    Fruit juice: 6 fluid oz. Juice glass
    Vegetables: 1/2 cup Bulb part of a light bulb
    Bagel: 1/2 small 1/2 of a packaged English muffin
    Bread: toast 1 slice Slice from standard loaf
    Cold Breakfast Cereal: 1 cup (8 oz) Standard teacup
    Pasta or rice: 1/2 cup cooked Cupped palm
    Meat, chicken, fish: 3 oz. Palm of a woman’s hand
    Beans (kidney, pinto, etc.): 1/2 cup (4 oz) Bulb part of a light bulb
    Eggs: 1 (replaces 1 oz. meat) 1 Large egg
    Peanut butter: 2 tablespoons Size of 1 whole walnut shell
    Cheese: 1 ounce (oz) 2 dominos
    Milk, yogurt: 1 cup Standard yogurt container

    Soy milk: 1 cup
    Standard yogurt container

    Chips, snack foods: 1 ounce
    (about 1/2 cup)

    FATS


    Butter: 1 teaspoon (tsp.)
    1 pat

    Salad dressing: 1 tablespoon (T or tbs)
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Sugar: 1 teaspoon

    1 packet

    Cream Cheese: 1 tablespoon
    1 packet

    Whipping Cream (Light): 1 tablespoon
    Size of 1 marshmallow

    Half and Half : 1 tablespoon
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Most beverage glasses are 12 oz. or greater in size.

    OK, this is helpful. I am saving this!
  • bump
  • bump
  • .25 or 1/4 lbs equals 4 oz
  • mcgeorge5
    mcgeorge5 Posts: 92 Member
    Thanks for bringing this up!
  • asherid
    asherid Posts: 56
    Bump
  • I was told "the size of a deck of cards" is a healthy portion.

    In liquid it is 1/2 Cup.

    Yup! This is the best example. I have basically go by the size of my palm. and when I go and weigh it, It is just a little shy, on point, or just a little over.
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    In liquid it is 1/2 Cup.
    ^THIS. Blend your steaks and pour them into measuring cups for accuracy.
  • Diyah13
    Diyah13 Posts: 76 Member
    4 oz is approximately 1/2 cup in fluid. If you're doing steak, it's about the size of a deck of cards.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    Hi!

    I too second the idea of investing in a scale; I love mine. In the mean time I found this on the Internet and you may find it helpful:

    Yahoo... to be exact...


    3-4 oz. is the size of the inside of your hand (palm).

    Food: 1 Serving
    1 Serving Item of Equivalent Size
    Fruit: 1 Medium 1 Baseball
    Fruit juice: 6 fluid oz. Juice glass
    Vegetables: 1/2 cup Bulb part of a light bulb
    Bagel: 1/2 small 1/2 of a packaged English muffin
    Bread: toast 1 slice Slice from standard loaf
    Cold Breakfast Cereal: 1 cup (8 oz) Standard teacup
    Pasta or rice: 1/2 cup cooked Cupped palm
    Meat, chicken, fish: 3 oz. Palm of a woman’s hand
    Beans (kidney, pinto, etc.): 1/2 cup (4 oz) Bulb part of a light bulb
    Eggs: 1 (replaces 1 oz. meat) 1 Large egg
    Peanut butter: 2 tablespoons Size of 1 whole walnut shell
    Cheese: 1 ounce (oz) 2 dominos
    Milk, yogurt: 1 cup Standard yogurt container

    Soy milk: 1 cup
    Standard yogurt container

    Chips, snack foods: 1 ounce
    (about 1/2 cup)

    FATS


    Butter: 1 teaspoon (tsp.)
    1 pat

    Salad dressing: 1 tablespoon (T or tbs)
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Sugar: 1 teaspoon

    1 packet

    Cream Cheese: 1 tablespoon
    1 packet

    Whipping Cream (Light): 1 tablespoon
    Size of 1 marshmallow

    Half and Half : 1 tablespoon
    1/2 walnut shell full
    Most beverage glasses are 12 oz. or greater in size.

    OK, this is helpful. I am saving this!
    :wink:
  • Curleycue0314
    Curleycue0314 Posts: 245 Member
    I'm with everyone else, Deck of cards! But you can get a digital scale from Bed Bath Beyond (heck even walmart) for about $20. Well worth it and i use mine everyday!
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    In liquid it is 1/2 Cup.
    ^THIS. Blend your steaks and pour them into measuring cups for accuracy.


    Winning!
  • getting_fit86
    getting_fit86 Posts: 128 Member
    It's about the size of a deck of cards.
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,087 Member
    Chris Powell, the trainer on Extreme Weight Loss, broke it down on a Dr. Oz I caught in a neat way (of course, I don't remember call of it).

    He said if you're in doubt, think of your palm as a serving of protein, and your thumb as the amount of fat you can have per meal. I forgot the other two, but I believe the hand minus fingers or slightly cupped was veggie servings, but then if you think of a light bulb, more cupped would be a serving of grains. Sorry I forgot the last two, I was flipping around and thought it was a great way to remember it, but apparently not for this brain, oops!
  • megosa
    megosa Posts: 1
    Hi it's late but I found this, searching online for what Chris Powell exactly said at Dr. Oz's

    "

    One easy way to portion meals among protein, carbs, and fats is by using your hand:

    Eat an amount of carbs that’s about the size of your fist
    Fats that are the size of your thumb, from the base up
    Protein that’s about the size of your palm
    About two fists’ worth of veggies

    "
  • SaRRkazm
    SaRRkazm Posts: 7 Member
    About the size of your palm or deck of cards.
This discussion has been closed.