Nutrition & HIV: Sizing Up Serving Sizes

Does Size Matter?

Yes. The terms "small," "medium," and "large" mean different things to different people, and there are no standard definitions.

Not so long ago, a small drink meant six ounces, medium was eight ounces, large was twelve ounces and extra large was sixteen ounces. Now, in too many settings, small, medium, large, and extra large can mean more than twice these amounts.

Does this mean that these new sizes are the right amounts to consume? No. It just means that is the amount being sold.

A "glass" or "cup" can mean four ounces, twelve ounces, or even as much as forty-four ounces. A bowl of cereal can be as little as a half-cup dessert bowl or as much as a small mixing bowl.

You want to make sure your food and drink intake provides adequate calories, protein, vitamins and minerals, fiber, fluid, and other important substances. Meeting your nutritional needs is necessary to maintain weight and lean body mass, and to avoid nutrient deficiencies.

What you eat and the amount you eat matters, especially when you have trouble maintaining weight or you need to gain or lose weight. If you are running high blood sugar levels or if you are running abnormal blood lipids, that also makes a big difference.