Portion Distortion
Most Americans eat way too much and it shows. Americans, including children, are heavier than ever. Try these tips to help your family avoid unwanted pounds.
- Stay tuned to the natural desire to eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. This may mean dropping out of the “clean plate club”.
- Measure out the serving size that is noted on the food label. Even if you go back for seconds, it is likely that you will still eat less than if a large portion was dished out to begin with. Plus you get the exercise of going back to the kitchen for more!
- Prepare dinner plates instead of serving large bowls and platters of food at meal times.
- Only eat at the dining room or kitchen table. This will help avoid mindless snacking in front of the TV.
- Don’t make drinks with calories part of the daily routine. Water is the best beverage for all ages (toddlers and older). Juices and milk, although nutritious, can add significant calories.
- Limit TV and computer play to 2 hours a day. We need to be physically active in order to burn Calories and avoid weight gain. TV and computer are especially risky habits because they are inactive and we are flooded with tempting food commercials while we watch.