Over the last 20 years, food portions have increased dramatically. As the size of our plates have grown, so has the expectation that the larger amount of food we receive, the better the value. However, taking in larger amounts of food can lead to weight gain, health problems, and expensive health care (e.g. lost time at work, doctor/hospital visits, and medications) - clearly not a value.
For easy portion control, use the healthy plate model to plan your meals. The healthy plate provides a filling meal with adequate but not excessive calories - all while balancing your meal and providing good nutrition. To build a healthy plate:
On the side of your plate, add a small fruit (about a cup worth) and a fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt. You can also add a small amount of fat (oil, butter, salad dressing), but a serving size is typically 1 teaspoon (for approximately 45 calories).
Sometimes you may eat something different than what is described on the health plate. Some foods are very high in calories, and even eating what is described as one serving can add up - especially condiments like salad dressing, mayonnaise, sour cream, and oils. If you aren't sure how much you should eat, tracking your intake and comparing it to your calorie goals for the day will help you determine what size will be appropriate for you. If you are trying to lose weight, keep in mind that research shows that people who track what they eat will lose twice as much weight as people who do not keep track of what they eat.
If something you eat comes in a package, check the food label. The most important part of the food label is the serving size. Take a look at this and compare it to your calorie goal to see if this food fits into your eating plan.
Here are some other tips for easy portion control: