What is the term for the amount of a food item that is customarily eaten at one time?

The term that refers to the amount of a food item that is customarily eaten at one time is known as "serving size." This concept is essential in nutrition because it helps individuals understand how much of a particular food they should consume to meet dietary guidelines or nutritional needs. Serving size is often used on food labels to provide a standard measure that reflects how much a person typically eats or drinks in one sitting.

In contrast, portion size can vary from person to person, as it refers to the amount of food an individual chooses to eat at a particular time, which might be influenced by personal preferences or hunger levels. Meal size relates more broadly to the overall quantity of food consumed in a meal, which may consist of multiple serving sizes of various foods. Quantity, while it could refer to how much food is present, does not specifically denote the customary amount people typically eat in a single sitting. Understanding serving sizes is crucial for managing diet and understanding nutritional intake.