Frequently Asked Questions

App Questions

About the Portions Master App 

Portions Master is a meal diary and body goal app that provides tools to help users reach and maintain their target weight. Portion Master is not a medical device or app, and should not be used to treat a disease or medical condition. Always consult with a doctor or health care professional for medical advice or treatment before making a medical decision.

How does the Portions Master App help you lose weight. 

The Portions Master app helps people limit their food intake by suggesting portion sizes that are suitable for acheiving a weight loss goal. The portion sizes are calculated using the latest nutrition reseach that is available from various government agencies including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov, the USDA MyPlate, https://www.myplate.gov and the Government of Canada food guide, https://food-guide.canada.ca.

In case of problems with behavioral issues - if you have an eating disorder

Portions Master is not a therapeutic system for users suffering from eating disorders. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, or are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder please seek help and contact a healthcare professional.

How is my suggested goal calculated?

When you complete Onboarding the system adds your weight entry to the Progress Graph for the current day.

When you reach the suggested Goal page during Onboarding, the system will suggest a goal that is the next closest and lower value from the following list: 

  • 225lbs
  • 200lbs
  • 175lbs
  • 150lbs
  • 125lbs
  • If your weight is 125lbs or less, then the suggested goal will be 3lbs lower.

The Portions Master App also calculates an intermediate goal based on your most recent weight entry. This occurs after Onboarding, after each update to the My Progress Weight Graph, and when logging in.

Calculating the intermediate goal is as follows:

  • The system gets the most recent weight entry and Long term goal from the Progress Graph. 
  • If the Intermediate Goal has not been calculated before, then My Intermediate Goal is set to the highest of EITHER (My Current weight - 10lbs) OR (My Long term goal).
  • If my weight is lower than the Current Intermediate Goal then, the system creates a New Intermediate Goal: the highest of EITHER (My Current Intermediate Goal - 10lbs) OR My Long term goal.

Recommended daily intake in Calories is calculated based off the user’s Current Intermediate Goal weight. The Current Intermediate Goal weight is multiplied based on the user’s Exercise rating. 

  • Lightly Active: x10
  • Moderately Active: x10.5
  • Active: x11
  • Very Active: x11.5
How do you calculate the calorie goal based on my configuration? 

Recommended daily intake in Calories is calculated based on the user’s Current Intermediate Goal weight. The Current Intermediate Goal weight is multiplied based on the user’s Exercise rating. 

  • Lightly Active: x10
  • Moderately Active: x10.5
  • Active: x11
  • Very Active: x11.5 

For example an intermediate Goal Weight of 150lbs, and an exercise setting of Active

  • 150 x 11 = 1,950 Calories / day

How are recommended portion sizes calculated?

Portion size guidance is based on entry method

Search Single Mode:

  • When the food item has a Quantity or Size, the system defaults to a count of 1 and the user can modify their count when adding the item.
  • When the food item has only a measure, the system defaults to 1 oz/30 grams and the user can modify their count when adding the item.

Portions Master Mode:

The system uses the following formula to calculate recommended portion sizes before the operator selects the specific foods:

  • Greens =  (Intermediate weight goal (lbs) x 0.75) + (intermediate weight goal  (lbs) x 0.60). This number is the recommended value in grams. If the user is in imperial mode, then grams are converted to oz. 
  • Carbohydrates =  Intermediate weight goal  (lbs) x 0.60 
  • Proteins =  intermediate weight goal  (lbs) x 0.75

Once the user advances to a given food type and searches, the system returns a list of foods of that type. 

Foods will have a measure that is either a Size, a Quantity or a Weight.  

  • if the given item has a Size, the system will choose the size of the item that is closest to the user’s recommended value. Eg. 1 Large. 
  •  If the item has a Quantity, and the weight per unit is less than the recommended, the system will return the nearest integer multiple quantity that is closest to the recommended value. Eg. 2, or 3. 
  • If the item has a Quantity, and the weight per unit is greater than the recommended amount, the system will return a fractional value of the item to match the user’s recommended value. Eg. 0.8  
  • If the item has neither a Size nor Quantity, the system will return a measure of the item which closely matches the recommended amount. Eg. 3.5 oz.

For any given amount, the food will have a corresponding value of calories.

Regardless of the value suggested, the operator can always adjust the amount they are eating to target their daily calorie goal. 


Will my portions change if my weight changes?

Yes. When you change your weight, Portions Master periodically will adapt the daily calories according to your progress in small increments until you achieve your Goal. 

If I am pregnant, nursing or breastfeeding should I use the app?

Portions Master should not be used by users that are pregnant, nursing or breastfeeding. 

Can I use this app to lose post-pregnancy weight? 

Portions Master should not be used to lose post-pregnancy weight. 

If I am diabetic should I use the app?

Portions Master should not be used by diabetic users. 

If I am under 14 should I use the app? 

Portions Master  should not be used by users under 14. 

If I am under 100 lbs should I use the app?

Portions Master does not support users below 100 lbs. 

Can I really use the Portions Master system to lose weight?

Yes. By using the Portions Master app, you are engaging in the process of portion control for your daily calories. Portion control is the act of being aware of the actual amount of food you eat and adjusting it based on its nutritional value and the goals of your eating plan.  Portions Master is a weight-specific plan that recommends portions to reach a specific weight goal.

Nutrition Questions

Understanding Calories & the relationship between Calories and my weight goals.

Simply put, a calorie is the unit of energy a food supplies. Consuming more calories than your body needs per day creates an increase in weight, while reducing calories consumed per day will create a decrease in weight.

What are Carbohydrates and why do I need them?

Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are vital at every stage of life. They are the body’s primary source of energy and the brain’s preferred energy source. Carbs are broken down by the body into glucose – a type of sugar. Glucose is used as fuel by your body’s cells, tissues, and organs.

What are Proteins and why do I need them?

Proteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones.

How do Greens fit into my Portions Master diet plan?

When using the Greens section of the Portions Master plate by eating healthy greens and vegetables, minerals and vitamins are consumed. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients required by the body to carry out a range of normal functions. However, these micronutrients are not produced in our bodies and must be derived from the food we eat. Vitamins are organic substances that are generally classified as either fat soluble or water soluble.

What are Fats and how do these relate to Portions Master food types (Greens, Carbs, and Proteins)?

Fats, also called “fatty acids” or “lipids”, are an essential macronutrient of a balanced diet. There are different kinds of fat, and not all are bad. Saturated fats and trans fats should be avoided, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and Omega 3 fatty acids are good to incorporate into your diet. A moderate intake of healthy fats can help your body absorb vitamins, maintain healthy skin, lower LDL cholesterol, and can even improve heart health. Healthy fats also make your food more flavorful and leaves you feeling satisfied longer after you eat.

Relating to the Portions Master food groups, the vast majority of your fats will come from the protein section of the plate. Proteins such as fish are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids; a group of fats known to have many health benefits. Other meats such as chicken breast, beef sirloin, or turkey breast are not only packed with vitamins and other nutrients but will provide the healthy fats necessary for your diet. Most greens won’t have many fats in them but choosing a healthier oil to cook greens in like avocado oil can help add some good fats to your meal. The same can be said for carbohydrates. Snacks can also be a good opportunity to add some healthy fats from nuts or seeds.

What are Vitamins and Minerals, and why are they important?

When using the Greens section of the Portions Master plate by eating healthy greens and vegetables, minerals and vitamins are consumed. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients required by the body to carry out a range of normal functions. However, these micronutrients are not produced in our bodies and must be derived from the food we eat. Vitamins are organic substances that are generally classified as either fat soluble or water soluble.

Eating Disorders – how do I know I have a healthy body weight goal and healthy relationships with food? What should I do if I think I have a problem?

Every individual has a different ideal weight, but a goal to lose 5 to 10% of your body weight is a great starting point, aiming to lose 1 to 1.5lbs per week. As you get closer to your goal weight, you should notice improvements in energy, mobility, mood, sleep, and self-perception. A sustainable weight loss journey isn’t quick, and smaller steps are easier to maintain. Start with smaller portion sizes and by making healthier food choices such as cutting out soda, going out less, and minimizing sugar intake. 

A healthy relationship with food doesn’t necessarily mean a strict diet and miniscule portions. You should aim to find a balance between freedom to eat the foods you like and the knowledge of making sure your portions and choices are still in-line with your weight loss goal. The idea is to build a lifestyle that’s sustainable, and overly restrictive diets and obsessive calorie counting won’t work long-term for most people. The best way to guarantee success is to find what works for you!  

Symptoms of an eating disorder may be; refusal to eat, extreme concern with body size, weight fluctuation, fainting, feeling cold, dry and brittle hair, or more. If you have any of these symptoms or think you may have an eating disorder, please consult a physician or dietician right away.

This may be tough but is a good first step. You should not try to address an eating disorder alone. Talking to a loved one or counselor can give you comfort, support and direction. Be honest about how you are feeling. Talk about what you’re feeling and why you think you have disordered eating. Be open to feedback and suggestions from the person you are talking to. The goal is to get the support you need to live a happy, healthy life.