Smaller dinnerware.Tips!
Nerys52
Posts: 86 Member
For the weight loss portion control I use dinnerware that is small size. I have an Arzberg low bowl that fits 1 cup 1/4 cup if filled to top.A breakfast plate instead of a dinner plate. I use that for small dinner. Small glass of 50 ml for juice, yoghurt. A 100 ml heatproof teaglass.
Small mini appetizer plates for small amounts of foods. Tapas plates.Demitasse cups, espresso cups I use for food because of their size. A good way to keep track is to get all the dinnerware items together and as the day proceeds and dishes diminish.
Small mini appetizer plates for small amounts of foods. Tapas plates.Demitasse cups, espresso cups I use for food because of their size. A good way to keep track is to get all the dinnerware items together and as the day proceeds and dishes diminish.
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Replies
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Yes, when I wasn't logging I found smaller dinner plates to be helpful as well. Now that I know I will be filled up by around 100 g each of a protein, starch, and veg I'm just using regular sized dinner plates. On the rare occasion I have cereal I do use the smallest bowls. And on the even rarer occasion that I have ice cream in the house and am not eating from the pint, I use the smallest dessert cups.2
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I measure my food so the plates/bowls I use may not matter in that regard and I know the food will make me feel full enough from experience BUT more appropriately sized dishes do seem to help me psychologically not feel deprived. Something about a small full bowl seems to mentally go over better than a big bowl that's only half full. It's like the big dishes are something that can make you feel like you didn't have enough even if you aren't still hungry.6
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I have also found that taking the time to nicely plate things also makes me feel more satisfied with what I'm going to eat in general. You do eat with your eyes first. I can be an emotional eater though which is how I gained weight, so maybe that is why things like this help me - they make me happy.4
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Just remember to go big with the salad, not small.... My idea of a salad fits just barely inside a 7-cup Pyrex bowl. Splurge and fill it up with your favorite greens and raw veg and maybe beans or other protein food. You really can make a meal out of a "salad" that way.5
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I still use a large plate, because I don't like my food to touch (too much, barely touching is fine, mixing is bad). Just make sure there is adequate room around all the foods on a big plate and pretend you are neurotic about it...
Really though, I think there is merit to using smaller dishes, it helps with the mental aspect of correct portion sizes.2 -
I like using smaller plates too, but mainly because they are cute with my lil proper servings of food on them. Makes me eat more mindfully.5
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Dreamwa1ker wrote: »I measure my food so the plates/bowls I use may not matter in that regard and I know the food will make me feel full enough from experience BUT more appropriately sized dishes do seem to help me psychologically not feel deprived. Something about a small full bowl seems to mentally go over better than a big bowl that's only half full. It's like the big dishes are something that can make you feel like you didn't have enough even if you aren't still hungry.
I think it does have a way of tricking me into feeling like it's more even though I've weighed it all out and know exactly what I have. Putting the same food on a large plate makes me feel I'm eating a snack instead because there's so much empty space. I use larger plates and bowls for lots of greens/salads/roasted lower calorie veggies.
My latest discovery is using the smaller salad forks (?) instead of regular dinner forks. I can shovel some food in fast and this has helped me take smaller bites. Food lasts longer. 😉😊 Chopsticks are another good way to make me feel like I have a huge meal since it can be difficult to pick up very much of some foods. When I have more bites, I have *time* to realize I'm getting full.2 -
Yes I understand the smaller plate and meal looks like a proper meal despite being small thing.
Another mental thing that works for me is eating ice cream and desserts with a teaspoon.
I know it doesn't really change anything but just makes it easier to savour a treat by eating it more slowly.3 -
I dont do smaller bowls and plates because I am a volume eater, but I love to use mini forks and spoons. It makes it last longer.0
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paperpudding wrote: »Yes I understand the smaller plate and meal looks like a proper meal despite being small thing.
Another mental thing that works for me is eating ice cream and desserts with a teaspoon.
I know it doesn't really change anything but just makes it easier to savour a treat by eating it more slowly.
I do the same thing. I use a mini fork and spoon for pretty much everything.0 -
paperpudding wrote: »Yes I understand the smaller plate and meal looks like a proper meal despite being small thing.
Another mental thing that works for me is eating ice cream and desserts with a teaspoon.
I know it doesn't really change anything but just makes it easier to savour a treat by eating it more slowly.
I like to eat ice cream out of a small mug/teacup!1 -
RelCanonical wrote: »I like using smaller plates too, but mainly because they are cute with my lil proper servings of food on them. Makes me eat more mindfully.
So cute. I think it also helps me eat slower too. I might try and find some cute dessert cups. There's something so endearing about a little plate filled up with my food.1 -
just_Tomek wrote: »I dont understand this concept. I mean it does not matter how much food you have on your plate, what matters is how many calories you have on that plate.
Yes I'm sure everyone knows that.
These tips about smaller plates, teaspoons etc are just tips to mentally make the portions look right, the meal last longer etc.
I'm sure nobody thinks the actual calorie content is changed.
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just_Tomek wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »I dont understand this concept. I mean it does not matter how much food you have on your plate, what matters is how many calories you have on that plate.
Yes I'm sure everyone knows that.
These tips about smaller plates, teaspoons etc are just tips to mentally make the portions look right, the meal last longer etc.
I'm sure nobody thinks the actual calorie content is changed.
I know what ppl are trying to achieve by eating from small plates with smaller poons etc. I just dont get why.
I think it's because there's a very strong mental/psychological influence around eating in general (just as a random example, we tend to eat more when we're with other people who are eating). It just helps stick to a calorie goal when your food looks visually bigger, even when it's just a mind trick. Might not be for everyone, but I feel the same way about it as many of the other posters.
On topic, I love using small spoons for everything and small plates and bowls for foods with small serving sizes (ice cream, cereal, etc.). My husband, like Tomek here, doesn't get it at all and refuses to use such tiny, irritating cutlery.
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I find it interesting that using smaller plates makes me feel like there is more food, but to a point. For example, I had a 1 cup bowl filled over the top with rice, and it looked pathetic. I had to put it into a 2 cup bowl and fluff it and spread it out because it felt like I was shortchanging myself. Using a 3 cup bowl makes the same amount look like nothing.
Same for glasses. I feel better when I pour myself 2/3 of 150ml glass of horchata than a pathetic looking 100 lm double-shot glass filled to the top. The same amount looks like I'm giving myself scraps if I have it in a 250 or 350 ml glass.1 -
just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian
Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
I do occasionally make use of chopsticks! But think of it in a different way; I've seen lots of pictures of your food here on MFP, and it's beautiful. Almost like art, very visually appealing. Does it make you feel satisfied to arrange your food in a way that looks good to you? If not, why do it? Using smaller bowls and spoons ends up having a similar effect, it's just visually and mentally satisfying. 2 -
just_Tomek wrote: »I dont understand this concept. I mean it does not matter how much food you have on your plate, what matters is how many calories you have on that plate.
It is a psychological trick. It's like I said in my previous post - I weighed everything I put on that plate. I rationally know exactly how much is on that plate, and that it IS enough to make me feel full and be satisfied. And that this is all that actually matters for calories in/calories out. But, being someone that gets kind of emotional about food, there is a mental game for myself too to prevent temptation to overeat, add to my plate, get seconds, etc.
Same goes for plating things nicely so that I feel happier and more satisfied about whatever I'm eating, even without changing what's in the actual dish.Dreamwa1ker wrote: »More appropriately sized dishes do seem to help me psychologically not feel deprived. Something about a small full bowl seems to mentally go over better than a big bowl that's only half full. It's like the big dishes are something that can make you feel like you didn't have enough even if you aren't still hungry.
But, I also know some people who are very "food is fuel" and don't care or need to do these things. But I'm a foodie and have been watching cooking shows since I was a little kid - I have to play the mental games a bit with myself to get the most enjoyment out of things.
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This is one reason why I have a whole bunch of different 'dip dishes'. Because what else would I plate my snacks onto?1
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I LOVE these for dip/salsa/etc: https://www.corelle.com/product/livingware-winter-frost-white-6-oz-bowl?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkoDmBRCcARIsAG3xzl-w91m6uvKuFx4h4Fxds93zhPU5n6-I47aeQHiU5hXrOqhdthi1xhcaAomOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
They are also very fun for putting all of your "mise en place" prepared/measured spices and things for when you cook, like on a cooking show. :-)1 -
just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
That wouldn't work for me.
Most of the food I eat like this is not chopstick suitable ( eg ice cream) and even when it is, my chopsticks skills are very poor
Sure, I want to eat more slowly but I also want to enjoy eating.1 -
paperpudding wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
That wouldn't work for me.
Most of the food I eat like this is not chopstick suitable ( eg ice cream) and even when it is, my chopsticks skills are very poor
Sure, I want to eat more slowly but I also want to enjoy eating.
Same here. I would rather calmly enjoy my meal than fiddle with chopsticks and chase food around. This would make my eating experience frustrating.
Many people approach food with a calorie goal, focusing mainly on calories and editing their food (or eating strategies) to fit. If they can fit in something enjoyable, that's good, but calories are more important to them. That's a perfectly fine way of approaching it, but that's not what works for me. My goal, first and foremost, is to enjoy food. My main focus is usually to get the most enjoyment out of my calorie allowance. When there is a day where my calorie allowance impedes my enjoyment, I would rather edit my allowance than edit my food.0 -
just_Tomek wrote: »Susieq_1994 wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
I do occasionally make use of chopsticks! But think of it in a different way; I've seen lots of pictures of your food here on MFP, and it's beautiful. Almost like art, very visually appealing. Does it make you feel satisfied to arrange your food in a way that looks good to you? If not, why do it? Using smaller bowls and spoons ends up having a similar effect, it's just visually and mentally satisfying.
Not all good looking plates of food are good tasting plates of food.
Same goes for smaller plates. Like I said before, you can cram a lot of calories onto the tiniest plates.
Sometimes I do put my food onto smaller plates, so that it looks better to me. What I end up doing is going back for "seconds" because that small portion would in no way fill me.
It's not about using a smaller plate to control the amount of food, but to control the mental satisfaction with food. The perfect plate size for me is where my usual filling calorie controlled portion occupies about 2/3 - 3/4 of the plate. For that, I need a smaller plate sometimes because a larger one would look empty. Being mentally unsatisfied makes me more prone to overeating, and what I logically know is a portion that usually satisfies my hunger may end up not satisfying it.2 -
just_Tomek wrote: »Susieq_1994 wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
I do occasionally make use of chopsticks! But think of it in a different way; I've seen lots of pictures of your food here on MFP, and it's beautiful. Almost like art, very visually appealing. Does it make you feel satisfied to arrange your food in a way that looks good to you? If not, why do it? Using smaller bowls and spoons ends up having a similar effect, it's just visually and mentally satisfying.
Not all good looking plates of food are good tasting plates of food.
Same goes for smaller plates. Like I said before, you can cram a lot of calories onto the tiniest plates.
Sometimes I do put my food onto smaller plates, so that it looks better to me. What I end up doing is going back for "seconds" because that small portion would in no way fill me.
You can cram even more on to a large plate.
A 600 meal on a 10.5" dinner plate can look a little sparse but on an 8.5" salad plate can give the illusion of a full plate. Many of us use smaller dishes and manage not to go back for seconds.
Plus our little bitty dishes take up less room in the dishwasher.
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just_Tomek wrote: »Susieq_1994 wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »*kitten*..... if its all about not eating too much, stop using spoons, knifes and forks. Use chopsticks. This way you will eat much much slower and might make you eat less, unless you are Asian Also in this case, using huge plates will be better since you will have to "chase" your food around the plate
I do occasionally make use of chopsticks! But think of it in a different way; I've seen lots of pictures of your food here on MFP, and it's beautiful. Almost like art, very visually appealing. Does it make you feel satisfied to arrange your food in a way that looks good to you? If not, why do it? Using smaller bowls and spoons ends up having a similar effect, it's just visually and mentally satisfying.
Not all good looking plates of food are good tasting plates of food.
Same goes for smaller plates. Like I said before, you can cram a lot of calories onto the tiniest plates.
Sometimes I do put my food onto smaller plates, so that it looks better to me. What I end up doing is going back for "seconds" because that small portion would in no way fill me.
Ok - so such a strategy would not work for you.
that's the thing about tips - people share what they have found helpful.
Suggestions which may also help others.
if it isnt helpful for you, that's fine - dont do it. It is a suggestion, not an order.
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The good thing is...it doesn't matter if you understand or not...it only matters that those who use the smaller dishes feel more satisfied with a plate that looks fuller. Most of us posting here is very well aware that we can't pile a small plate up with food until it is falling off the sides or go back for seconds.
Also, using a smaller dish will help some of those people who don't plan to weigh and log for the rest of their lives with portion size creeping up. Let's say your little bitty dish holds only a serving size of ice cream then you will know during maintenance (or have a better estimate) of what you are eating. I personally plan on continuing to use my smaller size dishes long after I reach goal weight.
Maybe this won't work for men because generally you have a larger calorie allotment than women. If this works for some of us I just don't understand why you have made it your mission of criticize those of us that it does work for. As Paperpudding said if it doesn't work for you then don't do it. No one on here has said that EVERYONE must eat off of small plates or dishes.
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Dreamwa1ker wrote: »I LOVE these for dip/salsa/etc: https://www.corelle.com/product/livingware-winter-frost-white-6-oz-bowl?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkoDmBRCcARIsAG3xzl-w91m6uvKuFx4h4Fxds93zhPU5n6-I47aeQHiU5hXrOqhdthi1xhcaAomOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
They are also very fun for putting all of your "mise en place" prepared/measured spices and things for when you cook, like on a cooking show. :-)
I like using these because they have lids.
https://www.amazon.com/Libbey-Small-Glass-Bowls-ounce/dp/B00LCW4NYE/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=ramekins+with+lids&qid=1556204984&s=gateway&sr=8-2
I have Corelle dinnerware that I use and I love them. I need to order more of their 8.5 plates however...I broke one.1 -
I would liken it to eating 1/2 of a medium (34 g) Cadbury creme egg vs eating a mini (18 g). Both are the same roughly similar in calories, but in one case you will have a strong urge to eat the other half because it feels less satisfying and "incomplete". Same if your plate is half empty, it's just "incomplete".6
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And in the case, for me, of eating ice cream or deserts with teaspoon as well as in a little dish, - it makes it easier to eat slowly and savour it in an enjoyable way.
It isn't a matter of trying to cram more on the plate - most ice cream I eat at home is pre measured, I buy those packaged wrapped squares of ice cream for exactly that reason - easy portion control2
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