Sunday, July 22, 2012

Portion Control, Essential when Eating Healthy.



No to crash diet! No to starvation!” If you’ve said these fighting words before, then you probably resist the very idea of portion control.

Portion control, or the act of limiting the food you consume per day, usually in calorie limits, might seem masochistic in a world where you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want.

But nutritionists think you’re better off trading this small freedom for better health. They point to research that suggests lack of portion control is hurting overall nutrition in America.
Make Portion Sizes a Math Problem

Reducing portion sizes is a fun and simple way to shed pounds, says Comana. "You don't need measuring cups," he says. Make it fun.

His suggestion: Put a typical size portion on your plate, then remove 5% to 10% of it. Is it a standard portion now, or still too much? Teach your children – and yourself – how to eyeball it. According to the American Dietetic Association:

    3 ounces of meat is equal to a deck of cards
    One cup of pasta is about the size of a tennis ball
    One bagel is about the size of a hockey puck
    1 1/2 ounces of cheese is the size of three dominoes
    2 tablespoons of peanut butter is roughly equivalent to ping-pong ball
    A half cup of vegetables is the size of a light bulb
Once you’ve set a plan, then stick to it for the best weight loss results.

Research published by Obesity Research journal showed the portion control induced the greatest weight loss, ahead but along  with  other positive weight loss behaviors like increased physical activity and increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Once you’ve set a plan, then stick to it for the best weight loss results.

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