What are healthy portion sizes for snacks?

Often, the problem with snack attacks isn't so much what you eat as how much. That's because finger foods slip into your mouth without you ever really seeing them. Try a little Wimbledon-inspired self-defense:

Instead of plopping in front of the computer or TV with a supply of your favorite munchies, put it on a plate -- and then size up the amount as critically as you do your appearance in the morning. Why?

Plenty of studies show that the more food in front of you, the more you eat -- not because you're hungry, but because it's there! So limit what's there.

Use these mental images as your portion guide. They'll help you maintain a constant desirable weight, and that can not only detraumatize bathing-suit season but also make you look 6 years younger.

Trust your eyes, not your hands. If your snack of choice is:

• Dark chocolate: Picture this: A pot of lip gloss.
• Popcorn: Picture this: A shower-cap full.
• Cheese: Picture this: A tube of lipstick.
• Piece of fruit: Picture this: A tennis ball.
• Ice cream: Picture this: Half a tennis ball.
• Nuts: Picture this: A palmful.
• Guacamole: Picture this: Two cotton balls.
• Chips or pretzels: Picture this: A woman's fist.
• Two bagel halves: Picture this: Two round compacts.

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