The best portion-control tools to keep in your kitchen, according to registered dietitians

Type: Bento box | Material: Food-safe plastic | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: N/A

We chose the PackIt MOD Bento Lunch Container as the best overall portion-control tool because we loved that you could adjust the size of the compartments. At 7.25 x 5 x 2.75 inches, it was the perfect size for a meal made up of a serving of vegetables plus a protein and a healthy carb.

The box is made from BPA-free, food-safe plastic and includes two dividers — great for those who don't like their food to touch. It's dishwasher and microwave-safe, making it a good option for people who want to reheat their food. While the dishwasher didn't remove all the food (in this case, hummus) from between the grooves, it was easy to clean the residual food by hand.

One downside of this product is that because the compartment sizes can be adjusted, there aren't exact units of measurement (the container has a total capacity of 3.75 cups). However, we felt that the ability to customize the compartment sizes to your own unique needs far outweighed this downside. Everyone has different goals and portion-control needs, so being able to change the size of the compartments was one of the main reasons we chose this product as our overall winner.

All-in-all, this was the most versatile and high-quality lunch box we tried, and we loved that the dividers prevented leakage of liquids between the compartments. Plus, it's specifically designed to fit inside the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag (which we also tested and loved). If you're looking for a larger version, either for a bigger meal or to store prepped fruits and veggies, try the MOD Bento Large Container.

Type: Bento box | Material: Food-safe plastic | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Milliliters/ounces

We chose Melii's Two-Tier Bento with Utensils as the best portion-control tool for kids because it has six different compartments, making it a great option for a full lunch and snacks in one container. It's made from food-safe plastic and is free from harmful chemicals like BPA, lead, cadmium, PVC and phthalates, so you can feel confident it's a safe option for your children.

The upper tier has two four-ounce sections and a 10-ounce section — perfect for holding nuts, seeds, crackers, dips, chopped veggies or sandwiches. The bottom tier has two 6.4-ounce sections and a larger 17.9-ounce section, which could be used for yogurt, fruit, chopped veggies or sandwiches.

The box has integrated storage for the included fork and spoon, and the large clasp is easy to open, making it a good option even for younger children. When we tipped the box upside down, it stayed shut, so throwing it into a backpack for school shouldn't be a problem. All traces of food came off in the dishwasher, making cleaning a breeze.

While the measuring units are only available on the Melii website, we felt that the compartment sizes were appropriate for children, eliminating the need for exact measurements. At $22, we felt that the quality of this bento justified the cost. Overall, this bento box had great functionality and an aesthetically pleasing design that little ones will love, making it our top choice for kids.

Type: Bento box | Material: Food-safe plastic | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Ounces/milliliters

We received several different-size Snackle Boxes from Melii, but the one that stood out to us as the best for families was the 24-compartment Snackle Box XL. Each compartment holds 4 ounces, but if you want to increase the size of the compartments, you can do so by removing the four vertical dividers.

When we tested this product, we were able to fit a lot of different snack foods into it — everything from boiled eggs to nuts to veggies and dip. While a little bit of pickle juice leaked under one of the dividers, for the most part, the box kept foods well separated. When tipped upside down, the lid remained on tightly, and none of the food fell out of its original compartment. While it's a little pricey at $30, we felt its functionality was worth the cost.

Overall, we felt that the size of this bento box would be perfect for people with children. The four-ounce compartments are great for treat foods like cookies because they can prevent the overeating that may accompany eating these foods straight out of the packaging. While this Snackle Box is definitely a bit cumbersome to carry around, it can hold a full day's worth of snacks for several children, making it a great option for travel or running errands. If you're looking for a smaller version, we also tested and enjoyed the 12-compartment Snackle Box.

Type: Reusable bag | Material: Food-grade silicone | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Milliliters/ounces

We chose Stasher's silicone snack bag and sandwich bag (available as a four-pack set on Amazon) as the best portion-control tools for snacks because they're sturdy, easy to clean and better for the environment than single-use plastic bags. We felt that the smaller, snack-sized bags would be better for calorie-dense snacks where you would typically eat a smaller portion (such as nuts and seeds) and that the larger, sandwich-sized bag would be better for less calorie-dense snack options (like raw veggies or fruit).

The snack-sized bag holds 12 fluid ounces, while the sandwich-sized bag holds 28 fluid ounces. The zipper seals on both bags were extremely strong and stayed shut even when we shook the bags vigorously. While our tester's husband felt they were too bulky, they were significantly less bulky than the other portion-control tools for snacks that we tried (most of which were bento box-style products). Our tester liked that you could easily squash them into a lunch bag or purse, making them perfect for on-the-go snacks.

The bags are very durable and cleaned well in the dishwasher, and they're microwave and oven-safe (up to 425°F), so you could even store snacks in them that need to be reheated. While the bags' capacity is only available on the Stasher website, we felt that the two different sizes made for easy portion-control without requiring exact measurements. At $19 for the sandwich bag and $14 for the snack bag (or $46 for a set of four — two bags of each type), they're good value for money, especially when you consider how much money you'll save on single-use plastic bags. Overall, we felt that Stasher's silicone snack and sandwich bags were a great choice for snack portion control while on the go.

Type: Bento baking cups | Material: Silicone | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: N/A

When it comes to individual portions, we loved the Bento Baking Cups from the Silicone Kitchen. Each pack of 24 has eight rectangular silicone baking cups and 16 square silicone baking cups. And at just $15 for a 24-pack, they're more affordable than some of the other portion-control tools we tried. Plus, they come with a reusable cotton mesh bag, which makes storage simple.

When testing the Bento Baking Cups, we made individual portions of baked oatmeal in the rectangular cups. While the recipe called for greasing the pan, the nonstick nature of the baking cups meant this step could be skipped, and removing the baked oatmeal from the cups was very easy. While the corners of the cups were a little tricky to clean, turning the baking cups inside out remedied this problem. We also tested the square baking cups, which held about one ounce of nuts—perfect for an individual serving.

We felt the rectangular baking cups would be great for making individual portions of baked foods like baked oatmeal and frittatas, while the square baking cups are great for measuring an appropriate portion of nuts or seeds. You could also place the cups inside a nondivided meal prep container to create different sections for different foods. Overall, these bento baking cups were easy to use and versatile, making them a great choice for individual portion control.

Type: Bento salad container | Material: Glass and food-safe plastic | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Not marked, but each section holds a specific amount

Packing a salad for lunch is a great way to increase your intake of leafy greens, other veggies, and nuts and seeds, but it's not the easiest type of meal to take on the go. For one thing, mixing a salad and dressing too soon can leave you with limp lettuce by lunchtime. It's also easy to overdo the less-healthy salad components, like creamy dressings, croutons or tortilla strips or shredded cheese if you're left to your own devices. 

That's why we love the Bentgo Glass All-in-One Salad Container. This stackable, compartmentalized container comes with a large glass bowl for your greens and a separate, four-compartment section to add your other toppings (this includes compartments of 10, 5, 5 and 3 ounces). There's even a fully sealable and removable sauce cup (that sits easily in the 3-ounce compartment) for dressing so it's easy to keep it separate until you're ready to mix everything together (no more limp lettuce!). The set even comes with its own reusable fork that stacks easily within the bowl. 

This is one item we've had in our arsenal for testing for over a year, so it's been put through the paces. The lid seals tightly, and there have been no issues with leaking. The compartment sizes for salad toppings are also nice, with the 10-ounce compartment great for additional veggies or even mandarin or apple slices, and the smaller compartments perfect for other fun additions like croutons, seeds or cheese (although we wouldn't recommend filling them full — it's best to keep these to around an ounce each). 

We love the durability and functionality of the glass bowl (dishwasher and microwave safe), but it's a bit heavy, so that's important to keep in mind if you'll be taking it with you to work. Bentgo also offers a lighter, plastic version of the same container. Also, the latches on the lid aren't the most sturdy. While we didn't have an issue with them breaking during testing, some reviewers on Amazon have noted this problem. 

Type: Tableware | Material: Porcelain | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Cups

It can be hard to get a feel for the proper serving sizes of common foods, given the "portion distortion" that has taken place in homes and restaurants over the last century. The size of plates and dishes has ballooned, as have the amounts served at restaurants and other eateries. This is particularly true of grains like rice, pasta and potatoes (how 'bout that extra large serving of french fries at the drive thru as an example — that's the portion size you receive, but it's much larger than the standardized serving size of three ounces, or about 12-14 fries). 

If you're trying to keep your serving sizes in check, but you don't think you're likely to measure out a portion of pasta using a food scale or measuring cup before you put it in your bowl, using portion-control tableware just might be in order. Plates with partitioned sections for different food groups are a common option (like this Uba plate), but we love this Portion Control Bowl due to its clear cup measurements on the interior wall and its versatility for various foods.

First, the bowl caps at 1.5 cups — much smaller than some of the supersized bowls that come with today's tableware sets. This makes it perfect for pouring in a cup of cereal flakes (the standardized serving size) or spooning in a half cup of cooked rice (also, the standardized serving size) without having to measure them separately. It's also great to learn how much cooked broccoli makes a half cup (the standardized serving size) versus the uncooked serving of a full cup. 

Now, it's important to note that standardized serving sizes are based on guidelines from the USDA, but how many servings a person should consume per day from each food group varies based on factors like age, activity level, sex and dietary goals, so just because a standard serving of cooked rice is 1/2 cup, that doesn't mean that's how much you should personally consume when you sit down to eat. What's helpful about portion-controlled dishes is that they help you more accurately visualize and learn what a portion size looks like so you can more closely track your consumption.

The Uba bowl itself is microwave and dishwasher safe and comes in a neutral white porcelain that fits with most aesthetics. Of course, it's spendy when you're thinking about buying a single bowl, but if you think of it as an educational tool to help check your learned portion distortion, it's well worth the price. 

Type: Measuring cups | Material: Borosilicate glass | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Ounces/cups/milliliters

We chose Great Jones Beyond Measure Duo (2-cup and 4-cup) measuring cups as the best for soups and sauces because of their large size, pouring spout, three units of measurement and construction from borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is less sensitive to temperature changes. Because of this, it's much less likely to crack under extreme temperature changes than regular glass, making it ideal for measuring hot foods like soups and sauces.

We tested each measuring cup by ladling hot soup into them. The mouth of these measuring cups is large, which helped prevent spillage. While the smaller, 2-cup model worked well for our tester, the larger 4-cup model is a good choice for those who need to measure larger portions. Each measuring cup has three units of measurement — ounces, cups and milliliters — making them a good option for all home cooks.

One downside of these measuring cups is that although they're more durable than regular glass, they're not as durable as plastic measuring cups, making them more difficult to store. Our tester typically stores baking equipment in a drawer but didn't feel comfortable putting glass equipment in a crowded drawer. However, because they're so aesthetically pleasing, our tester stored them on her windowsill, making them a focal point of the kitchen.

At $70 for the pair, they're pricey. And it's important to note that you can find other, similar options for much less, but if you're looking for a cool aesthetic and functional design, we felt they were worth the splurge.

Type: Squeezable oil | Material: N/A | Cleaning Method: N/A | Measuring units: N/A

When it comes to controlling the amount of oil you use during cooking, look no further than Chef's Life Cooking and Finishing oils. Sold individually and in packs, these premium cooking oils come in convenient squeeze bottles, making controlling the amount of oil you use much easier than with a traditional oil bottle with a wide mouth.

We tried all four varieties of squeezable oils: organic avocado oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, cooking oil blend and extra virgin olive oil. The olive oils each had a fresh, almost grassy flavor, while the cooking oils (avocado oil and oil blend) had milder flavors. Both our tester and her husband enjoyed how easy it was to control the amount of oil being used. Since oil is calorie-dense, many people trying to lose weight limit their oil consumption. These squeezable oils make it easier to control the amount of oil used, making them ideal for people who want to limit the oil they consume.

One downside is their high price point. Starting at $30 a bottle, they're pricier than comparable oils that come in regular bottles. However, the lids are removable, so you could easily add a less expensive oil to the squeeze bottle once you've finished the bottle. Plus, we felt that the olive oils in particular were much higher quality and better tasting than comparable oils from the grocery store, justifying the higher price point.

Type: Freezer storage trays | Material: Silicone | Cleaning Method: Dishwasher | Measuring units: Each container has a different portion size — 1 ounce/2 tbsp, 1/2 cup, 1 cup, 2 cups

For anyone who often has leftovers or who likes to meal prep and freeze their meals for the week, the Souper Cubes Gift Set is a great option for making portion-controlled freezer meals. This set comes with four trays, each tray featuring multiple compartments of a specific, portion-controlled size — 1 ounce (or 2 tbsp), 1/2 cup, 1 cup and 2 cups. 

The trays themselves are made of food-grade silicone and are microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven-safe. They also come with airtight lids that are interchangeable, so you don't have to find a specific lid to fit on a specific container. The beauty of trays is in their versatility — you can bake foods directly inside them (like breads or mini casseroles) and transfer them to the freezer to save for later (once they've cooled), or you can spoon your leftovers inside the appropriate serving-sized tray before freezing. 

The 1-ounce tray is ideal for single-serving sauces or treats like homemade cookie dough. The 1/2-cup size is perfect for rice or pasta, the 1 cup works well for soups or stews and the 2 cup is best for things like lasagna or casserole. We tried baking and then freezing banana bread in the 1-cup tray and we froze leftover Spanish rice in the 1/2-cup tray. In both cases we found the process to be simple, the serving sizes to be appropriate, the thawing/reheating to be easy and the dishwasher cleaning to work well. 

We do think most people are likely to use the larger, 2-cup tray more frequently than the 1-ounce tray, so if you think you'll get more use out of this larger size, it might be worth purchasing trays individually, rather than as a set.