Paleo Diet or Portion Control… or maybe both?

One Diet Doesn’t Fit All…

I have a friend who has put herself on the Paleo Diet.  She’s been on it for a couple of weeks, but really isn’t losing much weight…only a pound or two so far.  We were talking about it yesterday, and she was telling me how good she’s being about what she’s eating;  she’s been sticking to the diet, not drinking alcohol and doesn’t understand why she’s not losing more weight.

The question that occurred to me was to ask her about her portion size when she eats.  That struck a nerve.  Turned out she knows she’s eating too much.

Then we talked a bit about how great a full plate looks as opposed to a nice big plate with lots of spaces between little servings of a few things.  I suggested she get a smaller plate.  I think she thought I was kidding, but I wasn’t.  There’s something about using a smaller plate and being able to fill it that makes you…well…just not feel so deprived.  I’m not talking about a bread plate.  I’m talking about the difference between a 10 ½ ” dinner plate and a…wait…I have to measure the ones we use when we’re trying to do some portion control.  Be right back.  Ok, I measured the smaller one; it’s 9”.  It’s not a huge difference in size, but it makes a huge difference in how you feel visually about how much you’re eating.

Food affects all the senses.  We’re drawn to food by how it looks, and we are drawn by a generous portion.  As one who will confess to looking (subtlety, of course) for the largest piece of cake or pie in my dessert past, I can attest to the fact that we like a full plate and a large portion!

Even if you’re not ready to change your eating habits in a major way, why not try to reduce the size of your portions to start yourself on the road to better eating and to taking better care of yourself?

Another great thing to put into practice is to eat until your about 80% full only; not until you’re full, and certainly not until you’re stuffed.  If you start changing your eating habits by doing this, you’ll give yourself a chance to get used to feeling happy by not feeling stuffed.  The “all you can eat” restaurants are not your friend.

Make Major Improvements in Your Life!

Cheryl Major