One of the most important things to think about when we are talking healthy
eating is keeping food portions under control. How much we eat matters!
Researchers have found that if we are offered more food, we eat more food!
Not surprising. We can enjoy most or all foods, as long as we follow some
guidelines. This may seem simple, but it is very important.
THE PLATE METHOD
This is a great tool to use for weight management, diabetes, or healthy
eating in general. This tool replaced the food pyramid, and it’s
great because we all know what a plate looks like. It makes it easier
to plan our meals.
USING VISUAL AIDS
Common household items can be used to re-mind us of recommended portion
sizes. Nutrition needs are individualized, therefore vary person to person.
But overall, we can use these as a helpful tool to right-size our portions.
THE HUNGER SCALE
Babies typically eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full.
As the years pass, it seems we forget this and stop listening to our hunger
cues. In fact, emotions or other factors tend to be a bigger driving force
behind our eating habits instead of the need to nourish the body. The
skill of identifying when to eat and when not to eat has been suppressed.
The hunger scale can help regain the skill of listening to your body’s
hunger cues. Try to stay
between a 4 and a 6 whenever possible.
