Table 2. Detailed information on the terms, definitions, application and recommendations of the Portion Size Working Group, June 2018. Consistent Portion Size Working Group Descriptive term Definition Application term Recommendations Portion Ideal portion: Dual term to describe the amount an Education: “what your portion should A communications campaign is previous terms individual selects, or is guided to select. be” recommendation which includes include portion messages to: Specifically: Education on the size of portions can pack, pack Define or explain what a portion is include comparison with the Australian 1. the actual amount of food and drink guidance and Promote selection of Dietary Guidelines ‘serves’ and the selected by an individual at one eating portion control. appropriately sized portions to ‘servings’ presented by food companies occasion (meal or snack). personal needs (e.g. on pack, or served in foodservice Portion selected: Uses consistent terminology 2. guidance on the amount of food and settings). The size of the portion will previous terms Influence community perceptions drink that could/should be selected by differ depending on the individual’s include ‘amount about the size of portions an individual at one eating occasion – energy and nutrient requirements. consumed at an based on their energy and nutrient The Portion Size Working Group Research: “what is your portion” eating occasion’ needs (as per the Australian Dietary acknowledges: Guidelines). Gathering information on actual intake, messages about healthier may make reference to food models to portions of food/drinks may not To note: these energy needs may be estimate actual amount selected or be an engaging message to the smaller or larger than the Australian consumed (e.g. food models used in community. Messages may need Dietary Guidelines ‘standardised’ serve National Nutrition Survey). to be positioned around other sizes’ and the ‘serving size’ declared on important community issues the nutrition information panel (NIP). including: value for money, Portion Guidance: refers to any budget, minimising waste, health. measure or mechanism that assists with additional work is required to selecting a specific portion of a food or clarify appropriately sized drink, e.g. household measure, portions to communicate in a marking/ guidance on pack. campaign. Recommended activities: Develop communications for dissemination (examples above). Clarify appropriate sizes of portions to communicate (i.e. for average adult/child).
Table 2. Detailed information on the terms, definitions, application and recommendations of the Portion Size Working Group, June 2018. Consistent term Descriptive term Definition Application Portion Size Working Group Recommendations Portion Ideal portion: previous terms include portion pack, pack guidance and portion control. Portion selected: previous terms include ‘amount consumed at an eating occasion’ Dual term to describe the amount an individual selects, or is guided to select. Specifically: 1. the actual amount of food and drink selected by an individual at one eating occasion (meal or snack). 2. guidance on the amount of food and drink that could/should be selected by an individual at one eating occasion – based on their energy and nutrient needs (as per the Australian Dietary Guidelines). To note: these energy needs may be smaller or larger than the Australian Dietary Guidelines ‘standardised’ serve sizes’ and the ‘serving size’ declared on the nutrition information panel (NIP). Portion Guidance: refers to any measure or mechanism that assists with selecting a specific portion of a food or drink, e.g. household measure, marking/ guidance on pack. Education: “what your portion should be” Education on the size of portions can include comparison with the Australian Dietary Guidelines ‘serves’ and the ‘servings’ presented by food companies (e.g. on pack, or served in foodservice settings). The size of the portion will differ depending on the individual’s energy and nutrient requirements. Research: “what is your portion” Gathering information on actual intake, may make reference to food models to estimate actual amount selected or consumed (e.g. food models used in National Nutrition Survey). A communications campaign is recommendation which includes messages to: Define or explain what a portion is Promote selection of appropriately sized portions to personal needs Uses consistent terminology Influence community perceptions about the size of portions The Portion Size Working Group acknowledges: messages about healthier portions of food/drinks may not be an engaging message to the community. Messages may need to be positioned around other important community issues including: value for money, budget, minimising waste, health. additional work is required to clarify appropriately sized portions to communicate in a campaign. Recommended activities: Develop communications for dissemination (examples above). Clarify appropriate sizes of portions to communicate (i.e. for average adult/child).
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