If weight control is the goal, most folks know that portion control is the key.
According to a survey done by the Calorie Control Council, 84 percent of dieters say they are eating smaller portions of their favorite foods to control their weight. Or as the late Orson Welles, the Oscar-winning writer, actor and director, put it: “My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people there.”
But apparently we need a little help. An American Dietetic Association survey found more than half of folks like to think big when it comes to portions and overestimated the recommended serving sizes for many foods.
CALORIE NEEDS
What does “portion control” mean, anyway? It starts with understanding how many servings of each kind of food you should have a day based on your total caloric needs. That can change with level of physical activity. If you move more, you get to eat a larger portion.
BAGEL TRAP?
Think that grabbing a bagel for breakfast counts as one grain serving? Probably not. It depends on the portion or size of said bagel. For instance, the typical deli/bakery bagel is about 140g, so if you should only be eating 6 (30g) servings of grains per day, then that big bagel is gobbling up your budget.
QUICK TIPS FOR DINING OUT
Check out the room. If you can’t tell much about the portion size when reading the menu or from the server, look at what others are being served. Then you’ll know that the mashed potatoes are enough for three people or to ask for more green beans if the portion looks too small.
A serving of butter is the same as a serving of olive oil. Olive oil and butter contain the same number of calories per teaspoon. So don’t get a larger portion of olive oil just because it’s heart-healthy if you’re trying to trim calories.
Cooked weights are often lower than quoted on the menu. This is good news. Restaurants list raw weight of meats on the menu. A 200g filet mignon will shrink when grilled, often by 25 percent, so the cooked portion is actually 150g.
Plan your next meal. If portions are too big, ask for half to be put in a takeout container before the plate comes to your table. You won’t be tempted to eat the whole thing and, because you haven’t pushed them around your plate, the leftovers will look and taste better.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I EAT?
HEALTHY ADULT MALE (PHYSICALLY ACTIVE 30 MINUTES MOST DAYS)
2,600 calories
GRAINS: 250g
VEGETABLES: 3 half cups (more is encouraged)
FRUIT:4 cups
MILK:3 cups (low-fat or fat-free)
MEAT AND BEANS:180g
FATS/OILS:8 teaspoons
HEALTHY ADULT FEMALE (PHYSICALLY ACTIVE FOR 30 MINUTES MOST DAYS)
2,000 calories
GRAINS: 170g
VEGETABLES:2 half cups (more is encouraged)
FRUIT:2 cups
MILK: 3 cups (low-fat or fat-free)
MEAT AND BEANS: 150g
FATS/OILS:6 teaspoons
The more calories you burn through physical activity, the more servings you get to add to this chart. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut the amount you consume from the chart. Go to www.mypyramid.gov to reveal the caloric level and number of servings recommended for you.
VISUALIZE THIS
MEAT OR POULTRY: 80g equals a deck of cards or the palm of your hand.
SALAD DRESSING:2 tablespoons equals a shot glass.
PASTA OR RICE, COOKED: 1 cup equals a baseball or a
tight fist.
HARD CHEESE:30g equals 4 dice.
PANCAKE/WAFFLE: 10cm equals the diameter of a CD.
CHEESE SLICE, DELI MEAT: 30g equals the diameter of a CD.
NUTS, DRIED FRUIT, GRANOLA:A quarter cup equals a golf ball.
VEGGIES, BERRIES: 1 cup equals a baseball or a tight fist. VIEW THIS PAGE
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