Friday, August 28, 2009

Portion Size

One of the biggest helpers to my weight gain was portion size. I could go to a chain restaurant and eat the entire plate and still be helping myself to more bread, or dessert, or a bite off of my husband's plate! Since being on Healthy Trim, I've used a few tricks to get past the huge portions!

1. PUT IT AWAY! I used to prepare dinner, leave it on the stove while I ate my first serving, then I would go back for another serving. Pretty soon, there were no leftovers. So now, my way of fixing this is to take that second portion and put it in tupperware, it makes 2 great lunches for my husband and I later in the week. The Healthy Trim keeps me from feeling like I need more, and not seeing it, makes it much easier!
2. PACK IT UP! When we go out to eat, I always ask for a to-go box with my meal, I take 2/3 of it and put it away. It's not good for me to eat it all, I know that. I also know that I don't need to eat it all to make my body feel full, so I pack it up. It's much more difficult to eat (because I get embarassed really easily thinking people are looking at me saying- chubby girl has no self control) So it's away, and it's lunch!
3. Stock the fridge with smaller quantities! It was so easy to go and get an ice cream with 4 scoops, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc. Now, I have 100 calorie ice cream bars that do the trick, that feel better about eating, and that keep me "full" I also buy 1/2 bags of popcorn for snacks, instead of the huge bag (That I was once able to eat on my own)
4. Out to lunch- Only order the lunch portion! I used to go to restaurants and order lunch- but the things I would order would only come in dinner portions, bummer? NO! I would eat it all- gross. I would also feel like crap the rest of the afternoon, lose/lose situation there! So now, even if I'm at dinner, I try to order the lunch portion if I can!

Do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them- I'm always looking for new ideas!

2 comments:

  1. Those are good tips! My husband doesn't like alot of leftovers so I usually will make just enough for us for the dinner or maybe have a little leftover for me to take one day to lunch. I really don't spend much time on dinner each night, about 30 min. and I like to cook so I don't mind. Also when I eat out I will usually just leave the leftovers. One reason is that the food usually isn't all that healthy like stuff made at home and I don't want to indulge on that meal twice. I don't know if its a tip but I think you need to be ok with throwing food away. This idea of cleaning your plate is just not good for us! Oh and I keep lots of popsicles and fudge pops in the house because I have to have a treat after dinner.

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  2. Thanks for the feedback! I totally agree that restaurant food is not nearly as healthy as what you can cook for yourself at home. When I do go out (which I try to keep less than once a week) I try to pack 1/2 of it up so I don't pick at it while I'm sitting there.

    I agree- we totally need to get rid of the "clean plate club" (that my mother drilled in me when I was young)

    Popsicles are a great idea! When I'm sick, that's what I prefer- the fresh fruit pops:)

    Thanks for sharing!!!

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