LiteHouseDiet

Have you paid any attention to your portion sizes of food over the years? Portion control is more important than ever. There are many individuals out there who really aren’t aware that portion size has become a problem. Mainly this is due to not reading the labels, which always provides a serving size suggestion. So when you sit down to eat, you could actually be having two to three servings more then you were supposed to during your meal. This is especially true at restaurants.

One of the best ways to lose weight is through portion control. It will help you counteract the growth in portion sizes over the years.

A great example of this is when you head out to your favorite steakhouse or Italian restaurant and order steak or spaghetti. A normal serving size for spaghetti is only about a quarter of what they put on your plate there. When it comes to steaks, the regular serving size is 3 ounces, but at a restaurant we order 9, 12, or 16 ounce steaks most of the time.

The good news is there are ways you can control this when you eat out. One of the easiest things to do is share your meal with friends or relatives. It’s the smart way to cut down on unwanted calories. Also, when you take this route it can help you reduce the bill as well. If you want to be even smarter, tell the waiter to put half the meal in a box before you even receive it. This way you aren’t tempted to eat the other half, and you get to bring another meal home.

However, eating at home is just as difficult. It’s very easy to head to the stove for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths. In order to control your portion sizes at home you should eat on smaller plates, or specially designed portion plates. Plus, we would also recommend serving the meals as individual plates instead of “buffet style” in the center of the table. Even though you would think smaller plates would make you go back for more, often times you trick your body into believing it’s full when the plate is empty.

If you watch TV while you eat, this is just another way to pack on the weight without even knowing it. You ever notice yourself “mindless munching” on snacks when your favorite show is on? When you really are hungry, just turn off the TV and go sit at the kitchen table while you eat.

Many people believe that if they have a snack before meal time that they’re spoiling their meal but that old wives tale doesn’t hold true anymore. If you feel hungry between meals, allow yourself to have a healthy snack such as a small salad or some fresh vegetables or a piece of fruit. This will help you to not over-eat when you sit down for your meal.

Many people do not realize that when they buy food in bulk, they tend to overeat without realizing it. So sometimes buying bigger is not always better. If you do buy in bulk, separate the package into small individual portions, making it easier to stay on track and be focused with the correct portion size.

We also recommend getting rid of those snacks that are left in dishes and wicker baskets around the home. Having a cookie jar is a fast way to extra calories. Why? It’s out in the open and just the sight can create temptation. If you want to do this right, then you can put fruit out in a bowl and maybe a veggie tray in the refrigerator.

All of these tips may be a lot to remember. But starting with just a few small steps, you can make a big difference in your health and your weight. And try these new portion control plates to help you lose weight.