As an advocate of portion size, we believe that all foods can be incorporated into a healthy diet. However, even though one can relish larger portions of foods such as fruits and vegetables, attention must be heeded to how big portions are for other foods namely bread, red meat, baked goods, candy & chips.
Though there aren’t any records pertaining to people getting fat from consuming too many apples, berries or carrots, it is encouraging to relish generous portions of produce, while on the one hand, being mindful of the amount consumed from other foods, especially sweets. Often, the brain requires retraining, for to pay close attention to the exact amount of food which defines a healthy portion size & the formation of healthy habits to avoid overeating.
Being conscious of the aforementioned food snares is half the battle. For to abstain from overeating completely, the following portion pitfalls need to be averted.
- In the Search for a Bargain, You Purchase Oversize Bags of Chips.
Despite our love for a good bargain, for many of us, it is hard to resist buying the oversize bag of chips as opposed to the smaller bag, when it only costs a quarter or so more. However, though its great to stock up on mega rolls of toilet paper, the same is not applicable when it comes to food, especially Junk Food! The best bargain one can find should be in keeping one’s health and weight in check.
Suggestion: Avoid the purchase of mega-sized bags of food, unless time is taken for to portion out contents into individual servings in small containers or bags.
- Eating Directly from The Tub.
Eating straight from the package is one of the easiest ways to overeat. From a tub of ice-cream, a bag of chips or half a gallon of juice, it is very difficult to portion control the food when consumed straight from the package. As a result, leaving it up to one’s willpower seldom works.
Suggestion: Portion out a rational serving size onto a plate, savor it and enjoy while consuming seated.
- You Pour Instead of Dipping.
A central reason many of us consume more calories than we think is that for instance; after ordering a healthy salad, we tend to pour on tons of dressing. While, salad, veggies & greens won’t break you in the bank, calories of salad dressing add up instantaneously. One tablespoon of olive oil constitutes 120 calories. Modern-day salads and appetizers are found to contain several tablespoons worth.
Suggestion: Instead of pouring the dressing onto your favorite salad, dip your fork into a side dish of dressing. This way, you can always add more when needed.
- Attention to Serving Sizes on Food Labels are not heeded to.
Despite the increase in serving sizes of our favorite foods and while food labels would be getting a makeover, most individuals look at the calories listed as opposed to focusing on the serving size and number of servings per container.
While a single serving of your favorite food may contain 100 calories, eating several serving’s worths of it would make your calorie count much higher than simply 100 calories. Despite this very fact, yet many of us still hold on to the fact that they have only consumed 100 calories or so.
Suggestion: Along with the number of servings per container, attention must be paid to food label serving sizes. It is also suggested to utilize the aid of a measuring cup & food scale for to determine the exact number of servings actually on your plate.
- You Serve Food Family Style.
Whenever possible, the finest method to serve food is to plate it in the kitchen. Serving food family style by placing large platters of food straight on the dinner table is one of the easiest ways people end up consuming lot more than really needed. The larger the serving platter & utensils, the more food we are likely to consume.
Suggestion: When you plate out a reasonably sized portion in the kitchen, you can always go back for more if you are still hungry.
