Beneficial to eat small amounts of high calorie foods...

pianochick5254

to help learn portion control? Not necessarily sweets, but things like meats and cheeses and stuff like that or do you think that you can learn better health habits even if you only consume large amounts of low calorie foods? Example: I have a binging issue and I know I need to work past it, but usually I fill my days up with fruits and veggie wraps and I eat a lot but my calories can still be low (except the past couple of days or more because of the holidays, I've really gotten off track). Do you think it's important to eat smaller portions just for the habit building?

JustSomeEm

Totally JMO here, but I really believe that you need to not deny yourself. If you really really want chocolate, I think your 'diet plan' should allow for that. Which means portion control. Repeated binging isn't a good thing, but I think we all over eat now and again. The key is to not let it derail your fitness plan. Once in a while won't hurt you. It's when it becomes habit that the pounds begin to creep back.

SamanthaD1218

Hmmm I'm not sure about this, but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Instead of looking at the calorie amounts, try looking at where the calories come from. If the calories are mostly from protein, for example, you'll feel fuller longer than if they were all from fat. Eating a tiny cube of cheese will not teach you to eat tiny portions in general, it's just going to leave you feeling hungry!.

What works for me is making better choices so that I don't have to eat miniscule portions in order to stay within my calorie range. I've always liked this comparison:



All the meals on the left side are 300 calories each, while the meals on the right are WAY higher in calories and likely much less filling because the portions are so small! Smaller portions do not always lead to weight loss - it depends on WHAT you are consuming.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Eating smaller portions throughout the day may help teach you different habits, but it may not. To me, it sounds like you will never be full. If binging is something you worry about, maybe you should try a form of intermitent fasting. That way, when you do eat, you can have bigger meals or eat 2 cups of ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles guilt-free.

elyelyse

to help learn portion control? Not necessarily sweets, but things like meats and cheeses and stuff like that or do you think that you can learn better health habits even if you only consume large amounts of low calorie foods? Example: I have a binging issue and I know I need to work past it, but usually I fill my days up with fruits and veggie wraps and I eat a lot but my calories can still be low (except the past couple of days or more because of the holidays, I've really gotten off track). Do you think it's important to eat smaller portions just for the habit building?

firstly, "meats" aren't all that calorie dense. especially for the amount of nutrition they provide. a filling portion of chicken or turkey can be around 150 calories, and full of protein. lean cuts of beef and pork aren't that high in calorie either, for an appropriate portion.

to address your question...if you don't learn how to eat appropriate servings of calorie dense foods...does that mean you have to avoid them for the rest of your life? I don't think it's important to learn it just because it's a good habit. it's important to learn appropriate portion sizes because a lot of calorie dense foods are also very nutritious. Combining calorie dense food with less calorie dense foods is a good way to deal with feeling like you've eaten enough. Apple and almonds; vegetable salad with avocado and sunflower seeds; yogurt and granola, etc.

i think it's also important to note: "veggie wraps" depending on the wrap and any condiments, can be very high in calorie. I was in a restaurant recently, and the "Health Wrap" on the menu was 250 calories MORE than the hamburger!!!!!