Master Portion Control for Better Health
Size does matter in some situations and with portion control it is very important. Each person has a different need that they must understand in order to make sure that they do not overeat.
One challenge that Americans face is that we are inundated with lots of food everywhere we go. We get very large portions of food at most restaurants, and we get the smrgsbord when we go to the “all you can eat” restaurant. Nothing about our world says small when it comes to eating.
In days gone by, you could see exactly what a portion looked like because the media was showing you in some way. Today, you only get the Food Pyramid or the Glycemic Index to tell you exactly what you are to eat, but not necessarily the portion size.
This then begs the question, “What is the right portion?” The question has many answers and there are many ways to see what a portion is like. According to the organization, AARP, there are several ways to visualize a portion size. They have created a list that tells you great ways to identify a portion (click on the link for a full list). As an example, one cup of salad greens looks like a baseball. If you know what a baseball looks like, you can roughly get a “ball” full of salad greens.
This is an interesting way to see portions and it is a good way to eyeball them. Another way to visualize portions is through the use of a Meal Measure. This handy device actually can be placed on your plate and food is then placed in appropriate spaces. This is great for teaching children and for adults who do not want to worry about correct portion size.
Keep in mind that portion control is different for each person and the best way to see where to start may be to talk to a nutritionist. This individual is trained to understand foods, their preparation and how to control their portions. A good nutritionist can help you set up a food plan and then help you with recipes for your specific needs.
As you begin to control your portions and you include a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet, you will automatically become healthier. The next point will be to find a type of exercise you like and then start to do it regularly.