Dishware from Anthropologie
I received these darling small bowls and measuring cups as a gift recently and just love them. I love them not only because they are perfectly sweet to look at sitting on my kitchen counter, but because the bowls are the perfect portion size for food. It is much easier to gauge appropriate portion sizes when using smaller serving pieces. The larger the plate or bowl, the more tempting it is to fill it. I observe this behavior often when in restaurants and at dinner parties (I probably just got myself nixed off of a guest list or two!). This over-serving ourselves is most always a subconscious behavior and is easily remedied by simply thinking small. Here are some things you can do help you think small:~Forget *supersize* anything, even if the cost is only slightly higher (movie theatre candy, popcorn, soft drinks, fast food joints are famous for offering this).
~Bigger is rarely better and generally costs more in the end.
~Dishware is most always larger than you think and you are probably eating more because of it. Try this, fill your bowl, plate or glass as you normally would, then measure your portions to see how accurate you are.
~When faced with choices relating to food sizes, order smalls and eat slowly - I bet you are more satisfied and feel better than if you had ordered larger and ate quickly. If you are still hungry reward yourself with a few bites of dessert!
~Consider purchasing smaller plates and bowls. Use juice size glasses for drinks (except water of course - drink up!).
~Stay away from restaurants that over serve or eat only half and take the other half of what you ordered home.
~ Split a meal with your date.
~Try a Tapas restaurant (small plates).
~Show your family what appropriate portion sizes look like. There is a book "The Diet for Teenagers Only" and it has portion size cut outs for kids (and adults) to learn from. Overeating is often a learned behavior. It is best to set a good example for your family rather than preach to them. And on that note, kids generally know how much they need to eat - it is us parents who often convince them that they need to eat more by saying things like "clean your plate" after we have over served them to begin with.
~Our body has to work to digest all of the food we give it. This digestion takes energy and when we over feed ourselves, we take necessary energy away from other vital tasks of the body (fighting off diseases & viruses).
Small gelato cups from Freddo Gelateria, Naples, Florida
We can all enjoy fabulous food and drinks in small portions and be completely satisfied when we think small. Notice how this change in thought pattern affects how you think about food and portions. Notice how your body does not need the larger portion of food and the less you put in your body the less your body actually craves. Enjoy this beautiful week and keep in mind that your energy will come from the quality of food you give your body, not the quantity.
~One Body, One Life~
Jennifer
