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How can portion control be incorporated into daily life without feeling restricted?

Margrett Mayward

Ah man, this is a tough one. But I'll give it a shot.

I think portion control is all about balance. You don't want to feel restricted or like you're depriving yourself, but at the same time you don't want to be going overboard with your food. So, a couple of things I do to incorporate portion control into my daily life:

1. Use smaller plates - this might sound silly, but it actually works. If you take your usual amount of food and put it on a smaller plate, it looks like more and you'll feel more satisfied. Plus, you're tricking your brain into thinking you're eating more than you actually are.

2. Eat slowly - I'm terrible at this, but I know it's important. When you eat slowly, you're giving your brain time to register that you're full. This means you're less likely to keep eating even when you don't need to.

3. Snack smart - I'm a big snacker, so this one is key for me. Instead of mindlessly grabbing a bag of chips or a candy bar, I try to pick snacks that are filling and nutrient-dense. Things like nuts, fruit, or veggies with hummus. This way I'm not just eating empty calories, but I'm also not feeling restricted.

4. Portion out your food - this one takes a little more effort, but it's worth it. When you're cooking or meal-prepping, take the time to portion out your food into containers. This way you don't have to worry about overeating, because you know exactly how much you're supposed to be eating.

5. Listen to your body - this is probably the most important one. If you're hungry, eat. If you're not hungry, don't eat. It sounds simple, but so often we eat because we're bored, or because we feel like we should, or because we're stressed. If you listen to your body and only eat when you need to, portion control becomes a lot easier.

Overall, I think the key to portion control is finding a balance that works for you. You don't have to feel restricted or like you're constantly depriving yourself, but you also don't want to be eating huge portions of food all the time. By using smaller plates, eating slowly, snacking smart, portioning out your food, and listening to your body, you can find that balance and incorporate portion control into your daily life.