Portion sizes and Obesity

It is no surprise that obesity rates are increasing all over the world because most of the time we are away from home, eating from fast-food joints. However, that is definitely not the only reason weight gain is a result of such consumption - but it's the oversized portions served. 

In this article you'll get tips and tricks on how to control your portion sizes. Before I move on, it's important to note that a portion size is simply how much you should be eating per meal of that particular food group to get adequate nutrition as well as calories.

All you need to learn is how to assess a type food with its portion size based on your palm, finger, and everyday objects and you'll be good to go eating exactly how much you need to do PER MEAL. Those food include; carbs, protein, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats.

Use the following as a guide to determine your portions:  

I am sure that some of you are now shocked to know you have been eating 4x more than you should, despite thinking you're eating the right amount.

You see, fast food joints want you to think you're getting more value with less money if you pay an extra dirham. Eeee. Wrong. Not only you're spending an extra dirham, you're adding more calories, even more so contributing to your weight gain. In other words, the bigger the meal, the more calories in that meal.

Some examples of oversized portion meals with calorie Gamboo3as (inside joke):

• If you cannot control your portion size, always go for the "kids menu." I am 21, & I do it.  McDonalds Happy Meals can go up to 700 calories - no joke.
  
• In some restaurants (i.e. T.G. I. Fridays), they make indicate you could either oder a full plate vs. 1/2 portion. That half portion actually serves two. So get a smaller plate & share.
  

I just wanted to note that portion sizes are different than serving sizes, which is also another important factor. Serving size is simply how much of that food can be served on a number of occasions. In other words, how many times you should eat fruits, veggies, carbs and protein and the portion served during the day.

Personally, I always try my best to stick to portion sizes to make sure I am not consuming a lot of calories. When I eat (which I do from time to time), from fast food joints I always go for smaller burgers which are 300-400 calories. Also ask to have veggies instead of fries (and most res. won't mind replacing those evil-yummy-things-i-haven't-had-in-ages).

I hope this post was informative and now you can start controlling how much you eat despite where you go and what plate size you've been provided by any restaurant.

And to leave you with one of my quotes...1AED may give you extra cheese, but it also adds 100 more calories to your meal.

Yours truly,
Gym-Freak @ 999-fitness. 


Were you aware of portion sizes? Do you control how much you eat? Share with us!