Portion Control: Simple Ways to Cut Calories for Weight Loss

Don't fall for the restaurant portion sizes! Use these portion control tips to lose weight.

ways to cut calories

Portion control is an essential part of meal planning and weight loss. In order to lose weight you must create a caloric deficit. This means that you must burn more calories than you consume, each day. Portion control is easier when food has a label that indicates serving sizes and nutritional information, but what do you do when there is no label? How do you determine proper portions of things like nuts, seeds, and meat? Here are some easy tricks you can use to help you achieve your weight loss goals without any labels!

Ways to Cut Calories from your Diet

Estimate

Serving sizes can be eye-balled using common household items like a deck of playing cards (3 oz of meat, 1 serving), or a tennis ball (1 cup). Measure out one cup of dry ingredients like flour, and find something around the same size so you can estimate your portions on-the-go. Try a to-go coffee cup lid, a cup holder or egg carton.

Find Portion Controlled Containers

Grabbing an extra cup at the gas station to keep in the car is a great way to keep your hand out of a bag of munchies like chips or crackers. Limit yourself to one cup of these foods, to stay on the path to weight loss.

Half Your Plate

When eating out split a meal with your companion or have the waiter divide your portion and place the other half in a to-go box for later. Sip on water after your meal and allow your body time to realize that you’re full. Portions at most restaurants are generally oversized and it can be too easy to overeat with the entire plate in front of you.

Pre-Meal Munch

Instead of bread or having high-calorie dips and spreads, go for a plate of low-calorie vegetables to snack on while you wait for your meal. Try one of these Healthy Dips instead. Limit the amount of dressing you use, and always go for a healthy option like a light vinaigrette on the side, over something high in fat like ranch or blue cheese. Eating before a meal can offer a fuller feeling before you eat without adding many calories.

Follow these general guidelines for measuring foods:

Hand Measuring Tools

  • 1 baked potato = fist
  • 1 ounce of chips or pretzels = 2 handfuls
  • a single serving of fat (butter) = thumb
  • 1 ounce of nuts = thumb
  • 3 ounces of meat (one serving) = palm
  • 1 serving of vegetable = 1 handful

Visual Measuring Tools

  • 2 tbsp peanut butter = ping pong ball
  • 3 ounces of cooked meat = deck of cards
  • 1 piece of cornbread = bar of soap
  • 1 serving of bread = one slice
  • ½ cup cooked broccoli = scoop of ice cream
  • 1½ ounces of cheese = 3 dominoes
  • Medium piece of fruit = baseball
  • 1 ounce of cheese = 4 dice
  • ½ bagel = hockey puck (1)

References:

  1. http://www.commonhealth.virginia.gov/documents/PortionControlFactSheet.pdf

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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