The hardest thing when it comes to staying healthy or dieting is portioning out how much you should be eating rather than what to eat. Portion sizes is one of America’s largest downfalls- we have the “bigger is better” or “more the merrier” mentality when it comes to eating.
With over eating, comes weight gain- our metabolisms can’t keep up the number of calories we are putting into our bodies. When you better portion your food intake you aren’t only limiting excessive calories, you’re also regulating the amount of important food groups and nutrients that you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some tips to help with portioning out how much you should be eating in one meal:
- Nutrition Label is an Aid not a Guide: If you’re using the Nutrition Facts label to control your portion sizes, you might be headed for trouble. The serving size on the label is not necessarily the right amount of food to eat if you’re trying to lose weight. The serving size can be a helpful tool, but it’s important to get all the facts before you dive into your meal.
- Portion Control Kits: Specially designed meal kits, dinner plates, glasses and serving dishes can make weight loss simpler. There are plenty available to buy, but you can make them too. In fact, it can be a fun project for the whole family.
- Plan Ahead: It’s hard to serve yourself the right portion of food when you’re hungry and tired. For this reason, we often eat too much at dinner time. But if you prepare portion-controlled meals in advance, you’ll always eat the right amount. Use this guide to make a week’s worth of healthy meals in under an hour.
- Put the Screen Down: Eating when you’re distracted pretty much guarantees you’ll overeat—if you don’t take the time to pay attention to what you’re putting into your mouth, it’s tough to recognize when you’re full. To be more mindful, avoid eating in front of a screen.
Cheaper option: 50/25/25 rule: The best way to eyeball healthy portions? Fill your plate or bowl with 50 percent veggies or salad, 25 percent lean protein, and 25 percent starchy vegetables or carbs. This helps you roughly control portions automatically.
Shopping rule: Never go to a grocery store hungry, you’ll always fall into purchasing your cravings and sometimes those aren’t the healthiest of choices.
Remember to talk to your doctor before making big lifestyle changes. Your portions may be perfect for you now, especially if you need extra nutrients for health-related issues. It’s also important to remember that portioning isn’t the only way to lose weight and must be pared with a healthy amount of exercise to see positive results.
Grab your eating habits by the reigns and let’s show the world that you can be STRONG AT ANY LEVEL.
