Expanding Portions, Expanding Waistlines by Kathleen Doheny - Article Example

Being able to select the proper amount of food to consume is the first key to successful dieting. The author suggests that we simply become more aware of the serving size. She contends that the size of bagels, cheeseburgers, and soft drinks have grown dramatically in recent years and has resulted in calories that have more than doubled. In the midst of this super-sized climate, it's important that the dieter be able to select the correct amount.Doheny suggests splitting a meal with a partner or simply ordering a smaller portion.

Of course, there is always the doggy bag to take home food that is in excess of your dieting needs. The author also suggests we weigh our food at home when we prepare it. In the event that weighing is not possible, she offers several tips on visualizing the correct portions. After becoming accustomed to today's super-size value meals, it may be surprised how small a reasonable portion is. According to the author, a salad should be no bigger than a baseball, a serving of butter about the size of a dice, and a three-ounce serving of fish or meat is about the size of a deck of cards.

With these smaller portions in mind, the author recommends we start downsizing with a smaller plate.