first things i learned was how incredibly small a serving size is. this is the first shock for many people taking the first steps to controlling their weight. part of the problem is that we do not use plates and bowls for their intended purpose.
a portion of cereal is one ounce, about a quarter of a cup. the first time i dumped a quarter of a cup of flakes into a soup bowl intended for three cups of soup the flakes looked ridiculous. just a little dab of color in the bottom of the bowl. that same amount of corn flakes in a cereal bowl looks more like a serving. 