Learning How To Practice Food Portion Control

Want to lose weight but not sure where to begin?  Food portion control is an easy and effective way for you to start shedding your pounds and it will also help you maintain your ideal weight (when reached) in the future.  The problem is, most people do not even know how to properly portion their food any more, given the immense portions we receive in restaurants these days.  How can we keep our food portions under control?

Salads Are Your Best Friend

Before any meal begins, open it with a salad.  The general rule when it comes to food portion control is that you can eat as many vegetables as you would like, though be sure to take it easy with the salad dressing and dips.  Try to aim at adding only 1 tablespoon of salad dressing to your salads, no matter if it is vinaigrette or fattier, creamier dressings.  Remember, the goal here is learning food portion control, and salad dressing counts as a food!

Meat Is NOT The Main Course

When we focus on meat being a main course, we tend to double or triple our portions of meat.  Look at your plate and think about food portion control.  Half of that plate should be vegetables.  That leaves the other half open for grains, meats, dairy – whatever you choose to fill it with.  When it comes to meat and food portion control, aim to have meat on your plate that is no larger than the palm of your hand (approximately 4 oz.).  Your body requires no more than that.

Food Portion Control Means More Meals

Eating more frequently throughout the day will help you with your weight loss goals.  Keeping your stomach full also helps keep your sugar levels up, which both gives you energy and prevents you from making rash food choices (you won’t feel tempted to pull into that fast food joint if you have a full stomach now, will you?).  Four to six small meals – being sure that one is breakfast – will keep your metabolism running high and your body satisfied.

Say “No” to Seconds

Though it can be hard to say “no” to a good meal, after you prepare dinner for yourself or your family it is important to tuck those pots and pans with extra food away into the fridge.  Not only are you helping your family practice food portion control, but you then have left overs that can be used for dinner tomorrow night!

Food Portion Control Doesn’t Mean Deprivation

Let’s be honest here – cutting out our most beloved foods completely is difficult, if not downright impossible.  Indulge yourself every once in a while, but in moderation.  If cheeseburger meals are your deal, when you pull in to the fast food place ask for the “children’s meal” equivalent so you receive smaller portions of the foods you love.  If you enjoy sweets, set aside a certain amount in a bowl or on a plate and eat ONLY that amount.

For further help and support with your food portion control endeavors, be sure to discuss weight loss and proper diet with your doctor and/or dietician.

To Your Total Wellbeing

Gee Hollings