Portions!

[Helen51]

I have been really struggling with portion distortion. I know about the healthy plate and what I should have I just find getting the amounts hard. Any tips? Think this could be a long journey.

[Leoness]

Hello

I have the same problem, and with keeping track of snacks. But I have found that even if I'm overeating I can still lose weight because what I'm eating is all the right things.

I bought myself digital scales and a side plate as a dinner plate, and during meals I can choose to use a larger plate for salad or extra vegetables because there's no limit on fruit and veg consumption (be aware that fruit is high in natural sugars though).

One portion is:

Veg = 3 tablespoons; salad = 1 dessert bowl; fresh fruit = 1 medium piece (size of fist); dried fruit = 1 heaped tablespoon; cooked rice = 2 heaped tablespoons; peas, beans and lentils = 4 tablespoons; nuts = 2 tablespoons; cheese = 30g (size of thumb); lean meat = 60g-90g (palm of hand); fish = 150g

It is tricky to begin with but you will have more confidence once you know what these portions look like, and that doesn't take long.

Best of luck!

[Judywood]

I've been having 50g of pasta or rice, 100g new potatoes, 100g steak, 150g chicken, pork, gammon or lamb. Don't weigh veg or salad! I cook recipes for 4 then divide into 4 portions - I'm on my own now so eat 1 portion, 1 in the fridge (for tomorrow), 2 in the freezer for any other time! I never remember to label them though - so dinner from the freezer is always a surprise later in the month!

[Jenever in reply to Judywood]

Oh how funny about not labelling your meals and getting a surprise later in the month, I'm going to give that a go, planning meals can be a bit of a chore but your way of doing things introduces a bit of excitement...yes I know I should get out more.

[gingernut49]

I eat from small plates nowadays. I remember the first time I bought a ready meal and thinking "Is that all?" but now that's a normal portion for me. I live on my own now and I find the Marks & Spencer Count on Us meals extremely good and I serve them with a steam pack of vegetables.

[SM04]

This is where I struggle! I've often been told that my eyes are to big for my belly!