The Potion for a Perfect Portion
by Kathleen Reale
Anyone who has tried to watch their weight knows that the key to achieving your goal is to move more and eat less. But with a formula so simple – why is losing weight so hard to achieve?
The way to move more is no secret. Put on your sneakers and put one foot in front of the other. But the technique to eat less is the part of the formula that often baffles the best of us.
And with the recommendations by health care professionals to eat 3-square gluten-free meals a day, plus 2-3 snacks, how could I possible eat less than I am eating now?
One of the ways to watch your daily intake of calories is to eat less at each sitting. To control your portion sizes. But how in the super-sized world in which we live are we to know, and eat, an acceptable portion size?
Following are a few tricks and tips to keep your portions, and ultimately your weight, under control:
Check out the portion control guidelines at WebMD: Even if you think you know what a portion size is, this useful tool will guide you with easy-to-remember guides that helps keep your plate in check. They even have the guidelines that are ready to download in a
wallet sized version and a
size to hang on your refrigerator for quick reference.
Eat from a plate: Never eat from a bag or a box. Gluten-free crackers or rice crisps can add up in calories. Treat your meals and snacks with respect. Enjoy them on fine china once in awhile too!
Slate Your Plate: When you fill your plate, fill half of it with vegetables, one-quarter with a protein, such as meat, chicken, fish or beans; and the last quarter with a gluten-free grain, such as quinoa, rice or potato. Remembering this rule will keep you on the right track.
Slow it down: Treat every meal and snack as an event in itself. Turn off the TV, sit with the ones you love, carry on a great conversations on how phenomenal the meal is – and savor every, single bite.
Pass over the leftovers: Just because there are second helpings doesn’t mean you have to eat them. Package them up, freeze or refrigerate them and enjoy them for a later meal.
By following these simple rules, you will realize in no time what a correct portion is, you’ll be able to enjoy most all foods that you love (in moderation) and your weight will finally be in control!