The correct portion size for most side dishes is about the size of your fist.

The portion size guideline stating that most side dishes should be about the size of your fist is a visual cue aimed at helping people gauge a reasonable serving size without the need for weighing food or using measuring devices. A person's fist is roughly equivalent to one cup (or about 200–240 milliliters), and this measure can be quite handy when trying to estimate a portion.

When it comes to side dishes, such as vegetables, rice, pasta, or salad, using your fist helps to control portion sizes to avoid overeating. It's also important to note that this guideline is a general rule-of-thumb and individual calorie and nutritional needs can vary based on age, sex, weight, height, and physical activity level.

Extra: Understanding portion sizes is crucial for maintaining a balanced diet and can help in weight management. It can get very easy to overestimate the amount of food we need, particularly because the portion sizes served in restaurants and fast food establishments have grown significantly over the years. For example, the portion size of a typical dinner plate has increased over the past few decades, which can lead to the "portion distortion" phenomenon where what we consider a regular portion is actually much larger than what dietary guidelines recommend.

Using visual cues like your fist, a deck of cards, or a baseball can help you remember the recommended portion sizes: - A fist or cupped hand for carbohydrates like rice or pasta, - A deck of cards for proteins like meat or fish, - A thumb for fats like cheese or butter, and - A baseball or two cupped hands for fruits and vegetables.

Remember, these are just general guidelines and individual needs can vary. For a comprehensive diet plan, it's best to consult with a nutritionist or a dietitian who can provide personalized advice.