To Healthy Portions For Healthy Weight Management

I recently noticed when serving a particularly tasty meal I tend to reach for the larger dinner plates in my cabinet.  When my children were growing up I had to purchase a second set of dishes to accommodate the sometimes large number of people at my dinner table.  This second set are made of a beautiful purple glass so I thought they were perfect.  Because of their beauty I didn’t notice they were smaller than my other set.  Since I have become acutely aware of the relationship of meal portion size and healthy body weight I realized my preference for the larger plates when I prepare a favorite meal. Studies have shown that the size of our plate effects how much we choose to eat.  So, I thought I would share with you three easy steps to downsize the servings, then the plate. Credit on this particular meal comes from Cooking Light Magazine. 

Step 1 –Big Plate, Big Portions

Using a 13-inch charger you can place the following:

9-ounces grilled chicken breast

1 cup brown rice

6 tablespoons mushroom sauce

½ cup mixed greens salad with 1 tablespoon oil and vinegar dressing

¼ cup butter-roasted carrots

Wheat Roll with ½ teaspoon butter

A large 9-ounce cooked chicken breast looks suitable on this large plate, leaving space to double up on starch but you end up with 830 calories.

Step 2 – Big Plate, Healthy Portions

4 ½ -ounces grilled chicken breast

½ cup brown rice

3 tablespoons mushroom sauce

1 ½ cup mixed greens salad 2 tablespoons oil and vinegar dressing

½ cup butter roasted carrots

no roll with butter

The chicken is a more reasonable portion and requires less sauce.  Half the rice and no roll cuts out on unnecessary starch but still getting good fiber and nutrients from the rice.  This leaves more room on the plate to increase the salad and the carrots which increase your antioxidants for good health for a total of 443 calories.  However, right sizing the portions make the plate look a little stingy.

Step 3 – Smaller Plate, Healthy Portions

Using an 8-inch plate shrinks the surface area by 62%, leaving less room for food.  The advantage to the smaller plate is that it guides you to smaller portions – in this case by almost 50% less than the big 13-inch plate, for a total of 443 calories.  The bonus is that even if you go for seconds, they will be smaller.

Now, wasn’t that easy?  I thought it was a brilliant way to trim excess calories out of a meal without sacrificing flavor and satisfaction with a meal. So give it a try. Choose your smaller plates next time you set the table. Let us know if this trick worked for you!

Health Tip:  DIY Tricks To Sag-Proof Your Skin

1.      Slather on SPF 30 everyday

2.      Don’t smoke

3.      Limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks once or twice a week

4.      Use peptides at night

5.      Exfoliate

Sunscreen is a necessity 365 days a year.  The damaging UV rays are actually stronger in the winter.  Smoking cuts off oxygen to the skin, wrecking collagen and elastin and lowers levels of estrogen, which are essential for keeping skin firm.  Alcohol increases insulin levels, which creates low-grade inflammation and can hasten sagging.  Peptides are proven to boost collagen and accelerate cell renewal.  Exfoliation is critical to remove dead skin cells in order for skin to absorb repair treatments.  Look for mild scrubs with ultra fine beads or use a gentle-yet-thorough electric cleansing brush.