17 Oct THE CASE FOR PORTION CONTROL: HOW MUCH ARE YOU REALLY EATING?
When it comes to calories, we don’t know as much as we think. A new study shows we may be the kings and queens of underestimating the calorie content of meals.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, surveyed people eating at 10 fast-food type chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC, Subway, and Dunkin Donuts. Researchers asked adults, children, and adolescents how much they ordered and how many calories they thought they were consuming. Surprisingly, those who ate at Subway, which boasts a healthier menu, were farthest off the calorie mark.
Adults consumed about 836 calories, on average, which far exceeds how much you should eat in one sitting. To sustain medical weight loss, I often recommend my patients eat less than 700 calories (many times much less) per meal. But most concerning to me is the lack of knowledge adults underestimated their consumption by 175 calories on average, and about 25 percent of those surveyed were off by at least 500 calories.
Portion control is a key factor in losing weight. No foods not even fruit are unlimited. In fact, you can lose weight fast just by reducing portion size, and it’s easy. Many people develop a weight problem because they don’t know when to stop; they don’t listen to their body when it’s telling them it’s full.
Portion Control Guide
Despite most participants underestimating the amount of calories in their Subway meal, it can still be an excellent choice when you’re on-the-go. It’s about knowing what you’re putting in your body. Think whole-wheat bread, lean meats, passing on cheese, skipping extra sauce, and loading up on veggies instead.
Next time you’re in a bind, use this easy-to-remember guide to determine proper portion size.
Your fist = 1 cup: fruit, veggies, cereal, pasta, soup, rice
Palm = 3 ounces: meat, fish, and poultry
Two Cupped Hands = 1 ounce: chips, pretzels, crackers, popcorn
One Cupped Hand = O cup: nuts, potatoes, ice cream, beans
Thumb = 1-2 tablespoons: salad dressing, peanut butter, hard cheese
Thump Tip = 1 teaspoon: butter, fats, oils, mayo, sugar