Is a Handful an Effective Way to Guide Nut Recommendations?

Rachel Brown, Andrew R. Gray, Mei Gee Chua, Lara Ware, Alex Chisholm and Siew Ling Tey
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Rachel Brown: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Andrew R. Gray: Biostatistics Centre, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Mei Gee Chua: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Lara Ware: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Alex Chisholm: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Siew Ling Tey: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: 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’.

Keywords: nuts; portions; serving sizes; handful; guidelines; recommendations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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