What is proper portion control?

Portion control is key to keeping your weight down.

A proper portion is the recommended healthy amount of a food. In order to be sure you are eating the proper portion size you must become a label reader and measurer. A portion size may vary from 8 oz. or 1 cup of cereal, to 3 crackers. Each person needs a specific amount of calories in order for their body to function. That number is different for each one of us. Eating the proper portion size will help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Most foods and beverages are packaged in two serving containers, so even if you are making a healthier choice if you do not read the label you are eating twice as many calories as you planned. 

Proper portion control is different for every individual. Because we are all different shapes and sizes, the amount of calories that you eat each day should depend on your overall goal. Determining the recommended calories based on your goal will be extremely important so you know just how many calories you should consume each day. With the help of Sharecare, you can find out these numbers by completing the initial assessment found in your Coaching tab. Once this number is suggested, try staying within that recommended guideline so you are consuming the proper amount of daily calories that will get you to your goal in the timeline you chose. 

Here are some helpful hints that will keep you aware of how much you are eating every day.

Use a food scale: This will help you determine just how many ounces you are eating

Track your food: Using a food log will help keep you aware of how often and how much you are eating daily.

Read the labels: When reading food labels, be sure to notice how many slices, pieces, or ounces make up one serving. Often times there are multiple servings in one container/can/box which can easily be overlooked.

If out at a restaurant: Ask for a “to go” container and cut your meal in half before you begin your meal (often times there are more calories served to you then what is recommended for that particular meal).

Drink water: Drinking at least 8 bottles of water each day will help reduce the sense of feeling hungry.

Balance your meals: A proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats per meal will help keep you satisfied for a longer period of time, reducing the amount of calories you will consume each day.

Healthy snacks: Having healthy snacks like fruits, Greek yogurt and protein shakes handy will keep you from grabbing snacks that are high in fat and calories.

Portion control is eating the appropriate amount of food to maintain a healthy body weight. This is challenging in Western society since portions are typically much bigger than what we need to manage our waistlines.  Portion control is also eating the right number of calories for your body.

To download an article with visual guidelines for portion sizes, click this link http://www.dotfit.com/content-5287.html