Portions, sharing and a satisfying Mediterranean meal
A shared table makes it easy to taste several dishes. It also makes it worth thinking about the amount you want to eat before the table fills with bread, dips, sides and a main.
Portion is a personal choice
NIDDK distinguishes a portion—the amount you choose to eat—from a serving size on a label. Appropriate amounts vary with individual needs. A family platter is a shared serving format; its name does not tell every guest how much they should eat.
Give each dish a job
Choose a main, a contrasting salad and a dip you will actually use. If the platter already includes bread, rice and potatoes, read that description before adding more sides. The goal is a table that feels considered, rather than several versions of the same accompaniment.
Serve onto a plate first
For a gathering, placing your selection onto your own plate lets you see the meal together. You can taste a little of several dishes, then decide what you would like next. This also makes a sharing platter easier to distribute among guests with different preferences.
Keep ordering flexible
Ask about the current portions and included sides instead of guessing from a photograph. Appetite, activity and the occasion all vary. You can order another dish if needed; there is no requirement to choose every possible extra before the first plate arrives.
Sources & further reading
Appropriate portions are personal; a platter name or package serving size is not an individualized recommendation.