Make the Portion Cut

icandoit
icandoit Posts: 4,163 Member
edited September 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Americans have completely skewed ideas about portion size. No other country on earth offers portions as enormous as the ones here. Honestly, go anywhere else in the world and order a meal. You'll see the difference.
We're conditioned to believe that more equals better. Just look at the endless marketing of fast food; we're constantly encouraged to eat more in order to take advantage of a "bargain." But what kind of a bargain are you getting if you're eating 100 french fries in one sitting just to save a quarter you wouldn't have spent in the first place? Americans are paying for this illogical thinking with their health and their lives.

Here are a few techniques you can use to keep your portions under control.

If you're at home, use smaller plates. This creates the illusion of eating a bigger serving.
If you're at a restaurant and you know the portions are going to be huge, ask the server to put half your meal in a doggie bag before it even hits the table. This saves you money as well as unnecessary calorie overload.
Share an entrée with your dining partner.
Make a new rule for yourself: Always leave something on your plate. This reminds you that you are in control of the food, not the other way around. A little bit of empowerment can go a long way!

Replies

  • icandoit
    icandoit Posts: 4,163 Member
    Americans have completely skewed ideas about portion size. No other country on earth offers portions as enormous as the ones here. Honestly, go anywhere else in the world and order a meal. You'll see the difference.
    We're conditioned to believe that more equals better. Just look at the endless marketing of fast food; we're constantly encouraged to eat more in order to take advantage of a "bargain." But what kind of a bargain are you getting if you're eating 100 french fries in one sitting just to save a quarter you wouldn't have spent in the first place? Americans are paying for this illogical thinking with their health and their lives.

    Here are a few techniques you can use to keep your portions under control.

    If you're at home, use smaller plates. This creates the illusion of eating a bigger serving.
    If you're at a restaurant and you know the portions are going to be huge, ask the server to put half your meal in a doggie bag before it even hits the table. This saves you money as well as unnecessary calorie overload.
    Share an entrée with your dining partner.
    Make a new rule for yourself: Always leave something on your plate. This reminds you that you are in control of the food, not the other way around. A little bit of empowerment can go a long way!
  • ChubbyBunny
    ChubbyBunny Posts: 3,523 Member
    A REAL portion size for an adult is a Happy Meal. :smile:
  • michyrn
    michyrn Posts: 30 Member
    Thanks for all the great info :smile:
This discussion has been closed.