What’s more important in helping you lose weight: How much you eat or what you eat? Portion control and food choices both count.
On one hand, lack of portion control is increasingly being blamed for the “fattening of America.” Extra large or “biggie” portions at fast-food restaurants, “big grab” snack-size potato chip bags, and giant-size candy bars all pack in many more calories than more traditionally sized portions. But, consumers go for these bigger portions — partly because these foods taste good and people like to eat a lot of them, and partly because as a consumer, you get a better deal by buying the larger size.
There’s also the behavior that has been drilled into our minds during childhood known as the “clean plate club.” Ignore all these cues and concentrate on one thing that counts the most. STOP EATING WHEN YOU ARE NO LONGER HUNGRY — even if those french fries were a bargain, even if all your food isn’t gone.
It’s important to learn what a service size really is. For example, a three-ounce portion of meat — one serving — is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. And, one slice of bread or a half-cup of pasta counts as a serving. Some other foods such as fruits and vegetables can allow you to fill up your plate and eat to your heart’s content without over-indulging. Include more fruits, vegetables and fiber in your meals and you will feel fuller on fewer calories.
How much you eat is important, but so is what you eat. Pay attention to both and you will be one “biggie” step ahead.
These are important things to remember. So many of us eat mindlessly and are not aware of how much or how many calories we consume. Using our hunger as a guide is a simple way to monitor how much and when to eat. Thanks for these reminders.
I agree with Michelle. This is important information that we need to remember while we eat. It takes a few minutes for our brain to register that we’re “full” so it is important to back away from the table a little earlier.
Incidentally, I read this morning that even our pets are eating more due to improvements in the taste of pet foods!