The most effective portion-control instruments to maintain in your kitchen, in line with registered dietitians

Sort: Bento field | Materials: Meals-safe plastic | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: N/A

We selected the PackIt MOD Bento Lunch Container as one of the best total portion-control instrument as a result of we cherished that you can alter the scale of the compartments. At 7.25 x 5 x 2.75 inches, it was the right dimension for a meal made up of a serving of greens plus a protein and a wholesome carb.

The field is constituted of BPA-free, food-safe plastic and contains two dividers — nice for individuals who do not like their meals to the touch. It is dishwasher and microwave-safe, making it a superb possibility for individuals who need to reheat their meals. Whereas the dishwasher did not take away all of the meals (on this case, hummus) from between the grooves, it was straightforward to scrub the residual meals by hand.

One draw back of this product is that as a result of the compartment sizes could be adjusted, there aren’t actual items of measurement (the container has a complete capability of three.75 cups). Nevertheless, we felt that the flexibility to customise the compartment sizes to your individual distinctive wants far outweighed this draw back. Everybody has totally different targets and portion-control wants, so having the ability to change the scale of the compartments was one of many primary causes we selected this product as our total winner.

All-in-all, this was probably the most versatile and high-quality lunch field we tried, and we cherished that the dividers prevented leakage of liquids between the compartments. Plus, it is particularly designed to suit contained in the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag (which we additionally examined and cherished). Should you’re in search of a bigger model, both for an even bigger meal or to retailer prepped fruits and veggies, attempt the MOD Bento Large Container.

Sort: Bento field | Materials: Meals-safe plastic | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Milliliters/ounces

We selected Melii’s Two-Tier Bento with Utensils as one of the best portion-control instrument for teenagers as a result of it has six totally different compartments, making it an amazing possibility for a full lunch and snacks in a single container. It is constituted of food-safe plastic and is free from dangerous chemical compounds like BPA, lead, cadmium, PVC and phthalates, so you possibly can really feel assured it is a protected possibility in your youngsters.

The higher tier has two four-ounce sections and a 10-ounce part — excellent for holding nuts, seeds, crackers, dips, chopped veggies or sandwiches. The underside tier has two 6.4-ounce sections and a bigger 17.9-ounce part, which may very well be used for yogurt, fruit, chopped veggies or sandwiches.

The field has built-in storage for the included fork and spoon, and the massive clasp is simple to open, making it a superb possibility even for youthful youngsters. Once we tipped the field the other way up, it stayed shut, so throwing it right into a backpack for college should not be an issue. All traces of meals got here off within the dishwasher, making cleansing a breeze.

Whereas the measuring items are solely out there on the Melii web site, we felt that the compartment sizes had been applicable for youngsters, eliminating the necessity for actual measurements. At $22, we felt that the standard of this bento justified the price. General, this bento field had nice performance and an aesthetically pleasing design that little ones will love, making it our best choice for teenagers.

Sort: Bento field | Materials: Meals-safe plastic | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Ounces/milliliters

We obtained a number of different-size Snackle Packing containers from Melii, however the one which stood out to us as one of the best for households was the 24-compartment Snackle Field XL. Every compartment holds 4 ounces, however if you wish to enhance the scale of the compartments, you are able to do so by eradicating the 4 vertical dividers.

Once we examined this product, we had been capable of match a lot of various snack meals into it — all the things from boiled eggs to nuts to veggies and dip. Whereas slightly little bit of pickle juice leaked underneath one of many dividers, for probably the most half, the field saved meals nicely separated. When tipped the other way up, the lid remained on tightly, and not one of the meals fell out of its authentic compartment. Whereas it is slightly dear at $30, we felt its performance was price the price.

General, we felt that the scale of this bento field could be excellent for individuals with youngsters. The four-ounce compartments are nice for deal with meals like cookies as a result of they will stop the overeating that will accompany consuming these meals straight out of the packaging. Whereas this Snackle Field is certainly a bit cumbersome to hold round, it could possibly maintain a full day’s price of snacks for a number of youngsters, making it an amazing possibility for journey or working errands. Should you’re in search of a smaller model, we additionally examined and loved the 12-compartment Snackle Field.

Sort: Reusable bag | Materials: Meals-grade silicone | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Milliliters/ounces

We selected Stasher’s silicone snack bag and sandwich bag (out there as a four-pack set on Amazon) as one of the best portion-control instruments for snacks as a result of they’re sturdy, straightforward to scrub and higher for the atmosphere than single-use plastic luggage. We felt that the smaller, snack-sized luggage could be higher for calorie-dense snacks the place you’d sometimes eat a smaller portion (similar to nuts and seeds) and that the bigger, sandwich-sized bag could be higher for much less calorie-dense snack choices (like uncooked veggies or fruit).

The snack-sized bag holds 12 fluid ounces, whereas the sandwich-sized bag holds 28 fluid ounces. The zipper seals on each luggage had been extraordinarily robust and stayed shut even after we shook the baggage vigorously. Whereas our tester’s husband felt they had been too cumbersome, they had been considerably much less cumbersome than the opposite portion-control instruments for snacks that we tried (most of which had been bento box-style merchandise). Our tester preferred that you can simply squash them right into a lunch bag or purse, making them excellent for on-the-go snacks.

The baggage are very sturdy and cleaned nicely within the dishwasher, and so they’re microwave and oven-safe (as much as 425°F), so you can even retailer snacks in them that have to be reheated. Whereas the baggage’ capability is simply out there on the Stasher web site, we felt that the 2 totally different sizes made for simple portion-control with out requiring actual measurements. At $19 for the sandwich bag and $14 for the snack bag (or $46 for a set of 4 — two luggage of every kind), they’re good worth for cash, particularly when you think about how a lot cash you will save on single-use plastic luggage. General, we felt that Stasher’s silicone snack and sandwich luggage had been an amazing alternative for snack portion management whereas on the go.

Sort: Bento baking cups | Materials: Silicone | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: N/A

With regards to particular person parts, we cherished the Bento Baking Cups from the Silicone Kitchen. Every pack of 24 has eight rectangular silicone baking cups and 16 sq. silicone baking cups. And at simply $15 for a 24-pack, they’re extra reasonably priced than a few of the different portion-control instruments we tried. Plus, they arrive with a reusable cotton mesh bag, which makes storage easy.

When testing the Bento Baking Cups, we made particular person parts of baked oatmeal within the rectangular cups. Whereas the recipe known as for greasing the pan, the nonstick nature of the baking cups meant this step may very well be skipped, and eradicating the baked oatmeal from the cups was very straightforward. Whereas the corners of the cups had been slightly tough to scrub, turning the baking cups inside out remedied this drawback. We additionally examined the sq. baking cups, which held about one ounce of nuts—excellent for a person serving.

We felt the oblong baking cups could be nice for making particular person parts of baked meals like baked oatmeal and frittatas, whereas the sq. baking cups are nice for measuring an applicable portion of nuts or seeds. You could possibly additionally place the cups inside a nondivided meal prep container to create totally different sections for various meals. General, these bento baking cups had been straightforward to make use of and versatile, making them an amazing alternative for particular person portion management.

Sort: Bento salad container | Materials: Glass and food-safe plastic | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Not marked, however every part holds a certain amount

Packing a salad for lunch is a good way to extend your consumption of leafy greens, different veggies, and nuts and seeds, but it surely’s not the best kind of meal to tackle the go. For one factor, mixing a salad and dressing too quickly can depart you with limp lettuce by lunchtime. It is also straightforward to overdo the less-healthy salad elements, like creamy dressings, croutons or tortilla strips or shredded cheese when you’re left to your individual gadgets. 

That is why we love the Bentgo Glass All-in-One Salad Container. This stackable, compartmentalized container comes with a big glass bowl in your greens and a separate, four-compartment part so as to add your different toppings (this contains compartments of 10, 5, 5 and three ounces). There’s even a completely sealable and detachable sauce cup (that sits simply within the 3-ounce compartment) for dressing so it is easy to maintain it separate till you are prepared to combine all the things collectively (no extra limp lettuce!). The set even comes with its personal reusable fork that stacks simply inside the bowl. 

That is one merchandise we have had in our arsenal for testing for over a yr, so it has been put by means of the paces. The lid seals tightly, and there have been no points with leaking. The compartment sizes for salad toppings are additionally good, with the 10-ounce compartment nice for extra veggies and even mandarin or apple slices, and the smaller compartments excellent for different enjoyable additions like croutons, seeds or cheese (though we would not suggest filling them full — it is best to maintain these to round an oz every). 

We love the sturdiness and performance of the glass bowl (dishwasher and microwave protected), however it is a bit heavy, in order that’s essential to remember when you’ll be taking it with you to work. Bentgo additionally affords a lighter, plastic model of the identical container. Additionally, the latches on the lid aren’t probably the most sturdy. Whereas we did not have a problem with them breaking throughout testing, some reviewers on Amazon have famous this drawback. 

Sort: Tableware | Materials: Porcelain | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Cups

It may be laborious to get a really feel for the proper serving sizes of widespread meals, given the “portion distortion” that has taken place in homes and restaurants over the past century. The scale of plates and dishes has ballooned, as have the quantities served at eating places and different eateries. That is significantly true of grains like rice, pasta and potatoes (how ’bout that additional massive serving of french fries on the drive via for example — that is the portion dimension you obtain, but it surely’s a lot bigger than the standardized serving size of three ounces, or about 12-14 fries). 

Should you’re attempting to maintain your serving sizes in examine, however you do not suppose you are prone to measure out a portion of pasta utilizing a meals scale or measuring cup earlier than you set it in your bowl, utilizing portion-control tableware simply could be so as. Plates with partitioned sections for various meals teams are a typical possibility (like this Uba plate), however we love this Portion Management Bowl as a consequence of its clear cup measurements on the inside wall and its versatility for numerous meals.

First, the bowl caps at 1.5 cups — a lot smaller than a few of the supersized bowls that include right this moment’s tableware units. This makes it excellent for pouring in a cup of cereal flakes (the standardized serving dimension) or spooning in a half cup of cooked rice (additionally, the standardized serving dimension) with out having to measure them individually. It is also nice to find out how a lot cooked broccoli makes a half cup (the standardized serving dimension) versus the raw serving of a full cup. 

Now, it is essential to notice that standardized serving sizes are based on guidelines from the USDA, however what number of servings an individual ought to eat per day from every meals group varies primarily based on components like age, exercise stage, intercourse and dietary targets, so simply because an ordinary serving of cooked rice is 1/2 cup, that does not imply that is how a lot it is best to personally eat while you sit right down to eat. What’s useful about portion-controlled dishes is that they show you how to extra precisely visualize and study what a portion dimension appears to be like like so you possibly can extra carefully monitor your consumption.

The Uba bowl itself is microwave and dishwasher protected and is available in a impartial white porcelain that matches with most aesthetics. In fact, it is spendy while you’re desirous about shopping for a single bowl, however when you consider it as an academic instrument to assist examine your discovered portion distortion, it is nicely definitely worth the worth. 

Sort: Measuring cups | Materials: Borosilicate glass | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Ounces/cups/milliliters

We selected Nice Jones Past Measure Duo (2-cup and 4-cup) measuring cups as one of the best for soups and sauces due to their massive dimension, pouring spout, three items of measurement and building from borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is much less delicate to temperature adjustments. Due to this, it is a lot much less prone to crack underneath excessive temperature adjustments than common glass, making it ultimate for measuring sizzling meals like soups and sauces.

We examined every measuring cup by ladling sizzling soup into them. The mouth of those measuring cups is massive, which helped stop spillage. Whereas the smaller, 2-cup mannequin labored nicely for our tester, the bigger 4-cup mannequin is an efficient alternative for individuals who must measure bigger parts. Every measuring cup has three items of measurement — ounces, cups and milliliters — making them a superb possibility for all residence cooks.

One draw back of those measuring cups is that though they’re extra sturdy than common glass, they don’t seem to be as sturdy as plastic measuring cups, making them tougher to retailer. Our tester sometimes shops baking tools in a drawer however did not really feel snug placing glass tools in a crowded drawer. Nevertheless, as a result of they’re so aesthetically pleasing, our tester saved them on her windowsill, making them a focus of the kitchen.

At $70 for the pair, they’re dear. And it is essential to notice that yow will discover different, comparable choices for a lot much less, however when you’re in search of a cool aesthetic and purposeful design, we felt they had been definitely worth the splurge.

Sort: Squeezable oil | Materials: N/A | Cleansing Technique: N/A | Measuring items: N/A

With regards to controlling the quantity of oil you utilize throughout cooking, look no additional than Chef’s Life Cooking and Finishing oils. Bought individually and in packs, these premium cooking oils are available in handy squeeze bottles, making controlling the quantity of oil you utilize a lot simpler than with a conventional oil bottle with a large mouth.

We tried all 4 types of squeezable oils: natural avocado oil, natural additional virgin olive oil, cooking oil mix and additional virgin olive oil. The olive oils every had a recent, nearly grassy taste, whereas the cooking oils (avocado oil and oil mix) had milder flavors. Each our tester and her husband loved how straightforward it was to regulate the quantity of oil getting used. Since oil is calorie-dense, many individuals attempting to shed extra pounds restrict their oil consumption. These squeezable oils make it simpler to regulate the quantity of oil used, making them ultimate for individuals who need to restrict the oil they eat.

One draw back is their excessive worth level. Beginning at $30 a bottle, they’re pricier than comparable oils that are available in common bottles. Nevertheless, the lids are detachable, so you can simply add a inexpensive oil to the squeeze bottle as soon as you have completed the bottle. Plus, we felt that the olive oils particularly had been a lot larger high quality and higher tasting than comparable oils from the grocery retailer, justifying the upper worth level.

Sort: Freezer storage trays | Materials: Silicone | Cleansing Technique: Dishwasher | Measuring items: Every container has a unique portion dimension — 1 ounce/2 tbsp, 1/2 cup, 1 cup, 2 cups

For anybody who usually has leftovers or who likes to meal prep and freeze their meals for the week, the Souper Cubes Present Set is a good possibility for making portion-controlled freezer meals. This set comes with 4 trays, every tray that includes a number of compartments of a particular, portion-controlled dimension — 1 ounce (or 2 tbsp), 1/2 cup, 1 cup and a pair of cups. 

The trays themselves are product of food-grade silicone and are microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven-safe. In addition they include hermetic lids which are interchangeable, so you do not have to discover a particular lid to suit on a particular container. The great thing about trays is of their versatility — you possibly can bake meals immediately inside them (like breads or mini casseroles) and switch them to the freezer to avoid wasting for later (as soon as they’ve cooled), or you possibly can spoon your leftovers inside the suitable serving-sized tray earlier than freezing. 

The 1-ounce tray is right for single-serving sauces or treats like do-it-yourself cookie dough. The 1/2-cup dimension is ideal for rice or pasta, the 1 cup works nicely for soups or stews and the two cup is greatest for issues like lasagna or casserole. We tried baking after which freezing banana bread within the 1-cup tray and we froze leftover Spanish rice within the 1/2-cup tray. In each instances we discovered the method to be easy, the serving sizes to be applicable, the thawing/reheating to be straightforward and the dishwasher cleansing to work nicely. 

We do suppose most individuals are possible to make use of the bigger, 2-cup tray extra continuously than the 1-ounce tray, so when you suppose you will get extra use out of this bigger dimension, it could be price purchasing trays individually, reasonably than as a set.