Portion Police: Chips and Salsa

Crunchy, corny, oily, salty—i.e., totally irresistible—tortilla chips usually start dinner at the local cantina. Halfway into a basket, you're in for more than 300 calories before you touch the guac or down the margarita. We measured restaurant chip baskets and found that a quarter-basket represents about a 1-ounce recommended serving. So visualize a quarter-basket when you sit down, and savor each crunch.

IF YOU STOP AT A QUARTER-BASKET ...
You're eating well. That's a sensible portion (about 1¼ ounces). 169 CALORIES

KEEP CRUNCHING ...
Half a basket means 338 calories. Salt's starting to add up. 200MG SODIUM

IF YOU ASK FOR A REFILL ... 
for both the chip basket and the margarita you've just emptied: 1,085 CALORIES

HOW THE SIDES ADD UP (2-tablespoon serving)

Salsa: 10 CALORIES
Guacamole: 50 CALORIES
Queso: 70 CALORIES