Is a Handful an Effective Way to Guide Nut Recommendations?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Andrew R. Gray¹  Mei Gee Chua²  Lara Ware²  Rachel Brown²  Alex Chisholm²  Siew Ling Tey² 

[1] Biostatistics Centre, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;

关键词: nuts;    portions;    serving sizes;    handful;    guidelines;    recommendations;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18157812

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Dietary guidelines recommend consuming 30 g of nuts per day to reduce the risk of chronic disease. A ‘handful’ is commonly used to guide consumers. Research is lacking on how this translates into actual gram amounts. This study quantified the grams of nuts represented by different portion size measures, including a ‘handful’ and ‘30 g serving’ among 120 participants. Each participant was randomised to a sequence where they received three of six different nut types (from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, and walnuts) and were instructed to take a: ‘usual serving’, ‘handful’, ‘small handful’, ‘large handful’, and ‘30 g serving’ of each. Combining all nut types, the median ‘handful’ was 36.3 g, compared to 28.7 g for the estimated ‘30 g serving’ and 24.8 for the ‘usual serving’. The ‘large handful’ was approximately double the ‘handful’ (61.3 g), whereas the ‘small handful’ was about half (16.7 g). Eighty-three percent of portions chosen were at least 80% of the recommended 30 g intake when participants were asked to take a ‘handful’, compared to 63% for the ‘30 g serving’. It appears a ‘handful’ can be used as a practical tool to guide recommended nut intakes, and increases the amount selected compared to instructions to take a ‘30 g serving’.

【 授权许可】

Unknown