Can I customize portion sizes?Updated 2 months ago

Quick Answer

Yes, you can adjust serving sizes in CENTR recipes. Change portion sizes either in the recipe view itself or directly in the Shopping List. When you adjust servings, ingredient quantities automatically recalculate to match your needs.

Adjusting Servings in Recipes

On iOS and Android App

1. Open a recipe from your meal plan or Explore
2. Look for the serving size option (typically near the top of the recipe)
3. Tap to adjust the number of servings
4. Ingredient quantities automatically update to match your selection
5. Nutritional information recalculates per serving

On Web (centr.com)

1. Open any recipe
2. Find the serving size control
3. Click to increase or decrease servings
4. Ingredient amounts adjust automatically
5. Review updated nutritional information

Adjusting Servings in Shopping List

You can also customize portion sizes directly in your Shopping List:

1. Go to Home > My Plan > Meals
2. Access your Shopping List
3. Find recipes you want to adjust
4. Change the serving size for that recipe
5. Ingredient quantities in your shopping list update automatically

Why adjust in Shopping List? This is especially useful when planning groceries for your household. You can scale up recipes you plan to cook for your family or scale down recipes you're cooking just for yourself.

How Serving Adjustments Work

Automatic Calculations: When you change the number of servings, CENTR automatically recalculates:

• Ingredient quantities (cups, grams, tablespoons, etc.)
• Nutritional information per serving (calories, protein, carbs, fats)
• Total nutrition for the entire recipe

Example: If a recipe serves 2 and calls for 200g chicken, changing it to 4 servings will automatically update to 400g chicken.

Common Uses for Portion Adjustments

Cooking for One: Many recipes serve 2 by default. Scale down to 1 serving if you're cooking solo, or keep at 2 servings and save leftovers.

Family Meals: Scale up recipes to feed your household. Adjust to 4, 6, or more servings depending on family size. See "How do I plan for a family?" for more family meal tips.

Meal Prep: Increase servings to batch cook for the week. Make 6-8 servings at once and portion for upcoming meals.

Appetite Needs: Adjust based on your hunger levels and calorie goals. Athletes or those with higher calorie needs might increase portions slightly.

Shopping List Benefits

When you adjust servings, your Shopping List:

• Automatically updates ingredient quantities
• Combines ingredients across recipes (e.g., if three recipes need eggs, it totals them)
• Helps you buy the right amounts at the grocery store
• Reduces food waste by accurate quantity planning

Nutritional Considerations

Per Serving Nutrition: Nutritional information is always displayed per serving. When you scale a recipe, the per-serving nutrition stays consistent - you're just making more servings.

Meeting Your Goals: CENTR's meal plans are designed to support your fitness goals at the default serving sizes. If you regularly adjust portions significantly, monitor your progress to ensure you're meeting your nutrition targets.

Protein and Macros: All recipes include balanced macronutrients. Scaling servings maintains these ratios - you get more total food but the same nutritional balance.

Tips for Success

• Plan before shopping: Adjust servings in your Shopping List before grocery shopping to buy correct quantities
• Consider storage: When scaling up, ensure you have adequate refrigerator or freezer space for extra portions
• Cooking times: Larger batches may require longer cooking times. Monitor food temperature and doneness rather than relying solely on recipe times
• Equipment size: Verify your pots, pans, and baking dishes can accommodate larger portion sizes
• Save leftovers properly: Store extra servings in airtight containers and label with date and contents

Common Questions

Can I save my custom serving sizes? Serving size adjustments apply to that specific instance of making the recipe. The next time you view the recipe, it will show the default serving size.

Do adjusted servings affect my meal plan? No. Adjusting servings changes the recipe portions you cook but doesn't alter your meal plan recommendations.

What if I need very specific portions? Use the serving size feature to get close to your needs, then adjust individual ingredient amounts if necessary. You can also weigh and portion cooked food to exact specifications.

Need Help?

If you have questions about portion sizes or serving adjustments, contact our support team at [email protected]