Sunday, March 13, 2011

Portion Control!

So often, we hear health advisors telling us to watch our portions. But, how do we do that? It is critical to understand what an appropriate portion size of food is to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. So here is a simple way to remember your portion sizes, by using your hand as a guideline:

Palm=Proteins
-Protein portions should be the size of your palm. Protein can be found in animal products, like fish, meats, and cottage cheese. Some veggies with protein include beans, tofu, and wheat glutens.

Thumb=Fats
-Fats are important, but also very dense, so match portions to the size of your thumb. Good fat sources are avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

Fist=Fruits, Grains, etc.
-Your bread, fruit, cereal, rice, and grain portions should be about the same size of your closed fist. (Whole grains are always the best choice).

Hand=Veggies
-Open your hand and spread your fingers as wide as you can. That is a good vegetable portion. Raw vegetables are loaded with fiber and nutrients, and contain very few calories.

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