Brits have been left open-mouthed by healthcare provider Bupa UK’s revelation of the ‘normal’ serving size of cheese.
Earlier this year, an Instagram post from Bupa depicted a modest sprinkle of grated cheese next to the recommended daily portion – a comparison which caused widespread disbelief amongst social media users, reports Surrey Live.
The post went viral as many reacted to the surprisingly small guideline amount. The caption from Bupa UK read: “Can’t imagine a world without cheese? You’d be surprised to find out the recommended portion sizes! Brace yourself and swipe right. Portion sizes may vary depending on individual circumstances.”
The initial image showed what appeared to be an acceptable quantity of cheese with the annotation: “Looks like a normal serving of cheese, right?” Subsequently, it featured a paltry 30g of cheese – the suggested daily intake – comparable to the size of a diminutive matchbox.
TikToker Ashleigh Huish was one of many who voiced her dismay at the suggestion. In her video, she criticised the post, saying: “‘Looks like a normal serving of cheese, right? Swipe to see the recommended portion size…’ First of all, it doesn’t look like a normal serving, that looks on the smaller side. I’m not gonna lie depends what it’s going on.
“Beans on toast, I need more than that. Jacket potato, I need more than that. Going on the top of a spaghetti Bolognese, yeah probably that’ll do. Do you want to see the recommended portion of cheese?”
Using the green screen effect, Ashleigh revealed the second photo from Bupa’s post and expressed her astonishment: “You’re not going to be ready for this, because I was nearly sick,” she said. “One small match box! First of all, who’s measuring things in ‘match box’? Why couldn’t we use a tablespoon or something, Bupa, you freaks.
“Who the f*** is getting a grater out for that small amount of cheese? I take a bite bigger than that out of the block while I’m waiting for my food to cook. Ah! It’s why I’m fat, it is why I’m fat.”
Ashleigh, in her increasingly popular video which has raked in over 1.5 million views, unleashed a wave of solidarity among cheese enthusiasts stunned by the prescribed portion sizes. M444morgan chimed in disbelief: “Pls did you see the recommended portion size for pasta? ! Three table spoons of pasta per person. It’s about 12 pieces of pasta. Are they crazyyy?”
Hannah added fuel to the fire with her skeptical take: “Please tell me this is a April fools because I just weighed 30g of cheese for my ‘healthy dinner’ and either my scales are way off or Bupa are lying out of their a****.”
Echoing the disbelief, Alice shared her tale: “No because I eat more than that while I’m grating the cheese ready for dinner,” while Soph revealed a similar reaction: “That’s how much I pick out the bag to sample it.”
E_R_W_91 joked: “Well that explains why I’m a size 14 and not an eight, sorry BUPA it ain’t happening! I eat more than that just out the bag every time I walk past the fridge.”
Itsmeduhhh chimed in: “Cheese transcends portion sizes, are Bupa okay? ? ?”
While cheese can be part of a balanced diet, being rich in protein and calcium, Heart Research UK and the British Heart Foundation warn that a 30g serving takes up about seven per cent of daily calories, with some varieties containing more salt than a packet of crisps.
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