We live in a society of SuperSize and All-You-Can Eat. And let’s be honest, sometimes it just feels like smart money management to go with the larger size. After all, why get a 20 oz drink, when you can get a 32 oz drink for just a quarter more? Well, for starters a 20 oz Coke has 240 calories, so a 32 oz soft drink would have 384 calories. On a 2,000 calorie diet, you’ve just used up nearly 20% of your daily allotment!
Watching your portions can go a long way toward help you eat a healthy, balanced diet. And you’ll likely look better and feel better, too!
Start by actually reading the labels on the food products that you buy. You might be surprised at how many servings are in that box of cereal, and you might even be a little dismayed by how small that portion looks in the bowl once you measure it out (For psychological help, consider using smaller dishes to make it appear the meal is larger).
Compare what the USDA says is an actual serving, to what your favorite restaurants serve so you’ll know how to order effectively. For example, according to the Dairy Council of California, a standard bagel is two oz, and counts as two servings of bread and grains. But a bagel bought at your local marketplace restaurant might weigh six oz, and count as six servings.
Knowing what a food portion is supposed to look like can help you in the battle of the bulge!