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	What Counts as a Cup?
	The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through their Fruits and Veggies Matter campaign introduces portion control for meals by explaining how much food is in one cup.  Nutritionists, Health Managers, and Consultants working with Head Start and other child care programs may use this information to educate staff and parents about different foods for the children and families. One cup refers to a common measuring cup (the kind used in recipes). In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or 100% vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens can be considered as 1 cup from the vegetable group. One cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group. The chart below shows simple ways to enjoy fruits and vegetable throughout the day, with corresponding cup amounts. Click here to see more examples of what counts as 1 cup or 1/2 cup of fruits and vegetables.   1 cup 1/2 cup morning 1 small apple 1 small banana 1 cup 1/2 cup mid-day 1 cup of lettuce and 1/2 cup of other vegetables 6 baby carrots 1 cup 1/2 cup evening 1/2 large sweet potato and 1/2 cup of green beans 16 grapes What Counts as a Cup? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. English.