I always used to abbreviated things to get it all to fit. I write kind of big too, but somehow I was always able to get it in there. I usually didn't put brand names. If I needed a brand name, I would abbreviate it too.

Example:
RF = Reduced Fat
Bnls/Skls Chicken Breast = Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast
SL = Sara Lee
NO = Natures Own

I don't think they ever asked me what one of my abbreviations meant.