If you are on the path to better health, it's important to be aware of portions. Not only to avoid weight gain, but to avoid overloading our bodies with unhealthy fats, cholesterol, sodium, caffeine, sugar, and every other thing that should be regulated in our bodies through our diet. Even healthier choices can become unhealthy if portions are not in control.
Here are some tricks to make you more mindful of what you are putting on your plate.
1. Do not keep bowls or pans of food at the table with you. This only makes us more apt to keep refilling our dish.
2. If you are at a restaurant that serves large portions, you can ask for half portions. Or you can ask for a doggy bag before you even dig in and put some of your food away.
3. Say no to trigger foods. Any food that you know you have a hard time putting the breaks on..opt out of it and make a different choice.
4. Make one meal a "two-fer". If you are out with a friend, split one meal between the two of you.
5. Indulge on occasion. If you constantly deny yourself a special treat, you will ultimately end up binging and regretting. It's ok to allow yourself a treat from time to time.
6. Eat a salad before a meal. (watch the dressing amount) This will fill you up enough that you wont over eat during the rest of the meal.
7. Limit liquid calories. Ordering soda or alcoholic beverages can add a great deal of calories to your meal. Be mindful of this.
8. Don't snack out of a bag or a container. Take your portion and put the rest away. It's too easy to lose track of the food you are eating.
9. Don't be fooled by health claims. Organic, natural, and other labels do not mean that a food is healthy to consume in large portions.
10. Skip all you can eat buffets. Actually, skip buffet style dining at home as well. It's best to make enough for a meal and put the rest away immediately.
