“Portion Distortion” is a real problem these days, and it is one of the reasons Americans have been gaining so much weight over the years. In today’s food environment extra large servings of food have become the norm. We have all gotten used to eating larger portions of food without realizing it! Unfortunately, most of us haven’t increased our physical activity levels to compensate for the larger portions, so all the more reason to sharpen our portion control skills. If you are trying to lose weight or just want to have a healthier diet, portion control is key. Take a look at some of these pictures to see how easily portions can get out of hand.
1. Apples
Even apples these days are getting bigger! While apples of all shapes and sizes are a healthy snack, people who are trying to lose weight or need to keep their carbs in check, may want to stick with the smaller apples. The large apple on the left has almost as many carbs as three slices of bread! Pair a small apple with a slice of cheese or 1 tablespoon of peanut butter for a nutritious snack.
The small apple contains only 12g carbs and about 60 calories. The large apple has about 45g carbs and 180 calories!
2. Bagels
Bagels come in all different shapes, flavors and sizes, but a savvy bagel eater should know the difference in calories and carbs too! Check out the bagels below to see which one would fit your calorie and carb budget for the day. Some bagels have as many carbs as 4 slices of bread! For most of us, a mini bagel is the better option for portion control. Top with light cream cheese or peanut butter for a filling snack or breakfast.
The large bagel has 53 g carbs and 270 calories. The small bagel has 25g carbs and only 120 calories.
3. Potatoes
Potatoes are economical nutrition powerhouses, high in potassium, vitamin C and fiber, but they can also provide a lot of calories and carbs. Choose your potatoes wisely! The large potato on the left might be a good option for a runner who needs to fill up on carbs before a race. However, the smaller potato is probably a better choice for most of us couch potatoes. For a healthier way to do potatoes, try roasted red potatoes with herbs and olive oil. A good portion control tip for roasted potatoes is to keep them to 1-2 cups per meal, as that’s about 30-60 grams of carbohydrates.
The large baking potato packs a whopping 80g carbs and 400 calories. The small red potato has just 20g carbs and 100 calories
4. Chocolate
A small serving of chocolate, such as the “fun size” candy bar below can be a portion savvy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. However, beware of large candy bars! The large candy bar pictured below has more fat than a fried chicken sandwich and more calories than an order of fries. So if you have to buy the extra large candy bar, be sure to share it with a friend or break it into smaller servings.
The fun size candy bar only has 65 calories. The king size chocolate bar has almost 6 times as many calories, clocking in at 370 calories and 23 grams of fat!
Portion Control Tips
Practice these 5 tips to keep yourself from getting tricked by portion distortion.
- Use smaller bowls, plates and cups when eating at home.
- Pre-portion snacks from their original packages into single servings using snack size baggies or food storage containers.
- Buy smaller versions of your favorite foods. For instance, mini bagels versus large bagels, bite sized candy instead of full sized candy.
- Order kids’ meals or smaller sizes when eating out.
- Pack half your restaurant meal to go before eating and only leave half on your plate to eat at the restaurant.
For personalized nutrition advice schedule your nutrition consultation today by calling 301-288-1319.
