Portion Control

Portion control can be one of the toughest challenges when trying to live a healthier lifestyle.  Many of us eat VERY unbalanced diets, focusing on the wrong types and amounts of food.

Here are some tips to make portion control a little easier:

1.) Pay attention to serving sizes, and then measure out EXACTLY what you are going to eat.  Measuring cups and measuring spoons will become your best friend.  A food scale is also a great thing to have, as it really helps in weighing out those meat portions.  You can also have the butcher at your grocery store or meat shop weigh your meat out in the portions you would like, and that way they are all ready for you at meal time.

2.) Try eating on a smaller plate.  From a visual standpoint, it will seem like you are getting to eat more, or at least just as much as before.

3.) Before putting food on your plate, divide the plate in 1/2. Fruits and veggies on one 1/2 and the the other 1/2 should be equally divided between your proteins and grains.
    (Note: Complex carbs like whole grains take longer for the body to break down, are typically healthier,
     and make you feel fuller, longer.)

4.) Drink a glass of water before every meal.

5.) Fill up on veggies and fruit first when you are eating.  They make you feel full and really get your digestive system working.
    (Tip: Try adding a small salad to your dinner each evening and eat it first...you will be surprised how you  
     start to feel full in the middle of your meal.)

6.) For snacks, snack size Ziploc bags and small food storage containers are great for keeping snacks in...again they are visually appealing AND great to just grab and go.

Portion control and good food choices are truly the key to healthy eating.  These tips have been so helpful to me, hope you find them helpful too!