Weight Loss & Diet Plans

Portion Control and Weight Loss

What Is a Serving Size? continued...

Other ways of developing and maintaining proper portion control include:

At home

• Use smaller dishes at meals.
• Serve food in the appropriate portion amounts and don't go back for seconds.
• Put away any leftovers in separate, portion-controlled amounts. Consider freezing the portions you likely won't eat for a while.
• Never eat out of the bag or carton.
• Don't keep platters of food on the table; you are more likely to "pick" at it or have a second serving without even realizing it.

At restaurants

• Ask for half or smaller portions.
• Eyeball your appropriate portion, set the rest aside, and ask for a doggie bag right away. Servings at many restaurants are often big enough to provide meals for two days.
• If you have dessert, share.

At the supermarket

• Beware of "mini-snacks" -- tiny crackers, cookies, and pretzels. Most people end up eating more than they realize, and the calories add up.
• Choose foods packaged in individual serving sizes.
• If you're the type who eats ice cream out of the carton, pick up ice cream sandwiches or other individual size servings.