Record your portion of a shared dish

People sharing a dish do not necessarily eat equal fractions. Ingredients chosen, serving sizes and later additions vary. Distinguish the communal platter from your own plate. These editorial prompts are not a requirement to count every spoonful; uncertain portions remain estimates.

If convenient, photograph the first serving on your plate, including separately eaten rice or noodles. A visible sauce bowl does not establish how much sauce you used. If a photograph is impractical, note the foods afterwards. Later servings and leftovers mean the first picture may not represent the whole meal.

A systematic review considered different formats and intensities of dietary self-monitoring in behavioural weight-management programmes for adults with overweight or obesity. Review It did not test the accuracy or weight-loss effect of one shared-meal photo. Here, the aim is to preserve clues for reviewing your own intake, not invent exact nutrient values.

Review the app’s estimated foods and portions. Remove foods you did not eat and account for additions and leftovers. A large serving platter does not make individual intake precise. Choose a manageable method next time; check shared ingredients first when allergies or personal care instructions affect food choices. Remember the foods you selected yourself, rather than assuming everyone shared equally, and make room for uncertainty when reviewing the estimate.