Portion control for weight loss

A lot of people do not realize just how many calories and fats they are consuming on a daily basis Portion control for weight loss. Everywhere we go we see offers to upsize our meal. The problem is that we feel we are getting a great deal at the time, but really those extra calories add up to several extra pounds over time and trying to get that extra weight back off later is not such a great deal. The truth is we, as a whole, are eating almost double the amount we should be eating at one sitting.

Portion Control

In order to lose weight we must take a look at how much food we are really eating. Do you go out to dinner and eat a three course meal? With tasty appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts we are all guilty of over-indulging once in awhile. The question is how often are you over-indulging? Portions sizes are out of portion control and we need to start training ourselves and our stomachs to be happy with the right amount of food.

Learning the appropriate portion sizes may be tricky for some people. Not everyone understands how much food is considered too much food. A lot of people are raised in families that encourage over-eating.

As children we are taught to clean our plates and in a lot of families, the good times all surround a cook-out or a trip to grandma’s house for a scrumptious dinner. Poor eating habits can be hard to break, especially if that is all you have ever known.

 

In order to get a grasp on portion control sizes you must first learn to read labels. You may be surprised to know that when you open a can of soup and eat the entire can, you are actually eating 2 or 3 servings.

The amount of calories and fat that are calculated on a label are for a single serving, so if you are eating the whole can you are doubling or tripling the amount of calories and fat on the label.

For anyone who is just starting to learn about portion control size, it is often a good idea to start measuring out your food. By measuring out some of the basics and learning what a portion control should look like, you will be able to start looking at your food, no matter where you are, and know how much is too much.

When you look at the food pyramid put out by the USDA, it shows that you should consume at least 3 ounces of grains a day. This is the minimum amount for your dietary needs. It is a good idea to have 5-6 ounces of grain but to eat whole grains since whole grains are much healthier for you and not nearly as fattening.

So when it comes to portion control, you should measure your grains. Get an idea of what 3, 5, or 6 ounces looks and feels like. This will help you determine how much is too much.

Make sure to do this for all your food groups. By taking this easy step with a small food scale and measuring cup, you will be able to get your portion sizes back into the realistic category. It may take a week or more to get a handle on your portion sizes but the effort is well worth the results.

You will be amazed at how much you have really been eating and you will see just why you have been gaining weight. Once you start eating smaller portions your body will adjust to the size difference. As long as you eat several small portions a day you will keep your metabolism boosted and you will feel better and look better too!