Okay, 'fess up!

[vbak]

I am like most of you on the BB, we read cookbooks and recipes like non-foodies read novels. We live to eat and cook :D . What I want to know is this: How many of you eat the recommended serving size? :confused: We love everything that I make from CL, and that includes my kids and friends. I find myself doubling recipes because I am afraid that there won't be enough. Does anyone else do this? Vicky

[aggie94]

I have some real issues with portion control. So no, I never eat the recommended serving size, but I'm trying to change that. I'd rather eat 5 or 6 small meals a day (of the suggested serving size or less) than gorge myself three times a day, which is pretty much what I do now. I find that if something tastes really good, I'll keep eating and eating, no matter how full I get. NOT conducive to weight loss, no matter how much I exercise! :)

[rinsav]

I'm really bad too. I generally make 4 servings for just my boyfriend and myself. The scary thing is that we don't have leftovers very often.:o

[tammy/MN]

i don't usually double it, but a serving for 4 is just enough for me & my DH (the kids are picky), since i'm on WW i'm portion control conscious, so that leaves 3 servings for my DH, which is about right for him.

when i do portion it our the right way, he is always amazed!!
;)

[amcleod]

Well, I don't double the recipes since it is just my DH and I...but we'd starve if we stuck to those serving sizes! I mean, come on, when you're having risotto as a main dish, you're gonna just eat one cup? Not hardly. Just one piece of lasagna? Get real!

I may eat more than the serving size, but I do "count" it accordingly (I am on Weight Watchers). ;)

ann

[lisas3575]

We recently attended a dinner with a Japanese couple, and when someone asked them what was the biggest thing they noticed that was different in the US vs. Japan, they said portions. They couldn't believe how much food comes on a plate over here. Interesting, huh? It make me more aware of just how much really is on my plate, and how much I truly need to make me full. Plus, I think Americans eat way too fast (or at least I do). Often, I've ate so fast that I don't know I'm full until it's too late and I'm overstuffed.

[SusanPC]

Do you think the Weight Watchers works? I was thinking of doing it but wasn't sure if it was worth the money. I think the part that would be good for me would be being accountable to someone. As for the portions, I usually cut in half for my husband and myself (ie, the meat dishes) and when they turn out well my husband complains that he only had one chicken breast, etc. Of course he is extremely athletic and can afford to eat several portions....I can't! I have found marriage does terrible things to the waistline!

[beejayw1]

Guilty as charged (to a degree).

My big eye-opener was when I started measuring what I was eating, starting with cereal. 2/3 C was what the nutritional info was based on, and it barely covered the bottom of the bowl! ;)

With the CL recipes, especially desserts, I find myself chuckling. The other night I was reading some back issues and they were calculating nutrition for, I think, some sort of cheesecake. The serving size was 1/16th of a pie. I figured that the slice would be about 1/4th inch thick!

[Wendy w]

I'm a pretty healthy eater but portion control is my problem.

[KValley]

Like Lisa, I have a tendancy to eat way too fast. My goal this year is to become a more "mindful" eater (slowing down, savoring my meal, stopping when I am full). I do pay attention to portion sizes and lo and behold, when I stick to the recommended portion size, I am sated without being stuffed. Since I've been working on staying within the portion size allotted, I am so much more aware of how I feel when I do overeat (which was was "normal" eating previously) and how much BETTER I feel when I don't! I am not trying to lose weight, but to make permanent changes that I can live with. I have even noticed DH thinking twice about seconds- I want to set us up with good habits now, before our bodies catch up to bad ones!

I love having leftovers. And I am a compulsive measurer. :o

One trick I've learned, since DH and I like to linger at the dinner table which leads to picking at the remaining food, is that I finish my meal with a big green salad. We load our salads with veggies, a little shredded cheese. I don't like a lot of salad dressing, so for me this is a way to keep eating (which I love to do), it's quite filling, with very little caloric, but very big nutritional, impact.

Lisa, your Japanese friends' comments don't surprise me: the average American consumes in excess of 3500 calories a day, when the average necessary for good health and nutrition is 2000-2500! (Less for women, generally- accounting for activity levels)

[vbak]

Susan, I am not on weight watchers but i can tell you that it does work. A woman that I work out with ahs lost 105 lbs., two others have lost 15 lbs.. It is all about portion control and I haven't any. I am not over weight, but I do have a tendency to eat too much. The suggested portions for the recipes found in any cookbook or magazine don't do it for me. I LOVE TO EAT:D That is why I was wondering if anyone actually ate the suggested serving. Vicky

[Shirley Panek]

I am also guilty of this, although I am getting much better.

I don't measure (and/or weigh out my food), but I find that if I dish up our meal in the kitchen and bring it to the table, I am much less likely to get up and get seconds. There's something about having serving bowls of food in front of me - I start picking, or taking tiny seconds or (gasp!) thirds.

Better to make me get off my butt if I'm going to have seconds. :D

Shirley

[lorilei]

Do you want my /honest/ answer?

I have no idea. I never look at serving sizes when I cook. When I copy down recipes, I don't write it down...

I'd be a TERRIBLE dieter.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by lisas3575
We recently attended a dinner with a Japanese couple, and when someone asked them what was the biggest thing they noticed that was different in the US vs. Japan, they said portions.

The same is true for Canada - you don't get nearly as much there as you do here (except maybe at fast food places) - and no refills free either. At the same time, Canada's obesity population is a lot less than the US's, so there is probably a correlation there as well.

There was a segment a few years back on either 20/20 or Dateline on the "Supersizing of America" and how much food the restaurants serve out. It was really pathetic to see.

I cannot stand "buffet" places (not only because I believe the food is inferior) because people do not know how to stop eating. It's really sad. Don't get me wrong, I love food, and I can overeat as well (remember I am the one who ate 1/2 of the Blueberry PoUnd Cake during a PMS induced frenzy), but I like quality. I would never had eaten a "TastyCake" the same way.

[scnewton]

My DH and I cut all of the CL recipes in half. That way we don't have any leftovers and we don't have to worry about over-eating. We sometimes do get hungry a few hours later so we have a small dessert.

[Jewel]

I never cut recipes in half, but any leftovers my DH calls dibs on and carts them off to work for his lunch. I'm awful about portion control, and that has always been my main hurdle in trying to lose weight OR maintain weight! I will do really well all day long, then at dinner time it looks like I've spooned the potatoes and meat onto my plate with a trowel... :rolleyes:

I can understand a cup of risotto, simply because it's creamy and filling...but I CANNOT understand those nutritionists who slap the labels on my Healthy Choice, Breyers, or Haagen Dazs Ice Cream and fully expect me to be satisfied with 1/2 cup. A half cup of ice cream is what I get when I've been BAD. When I'm GOOD I get much more than that, and I'm ALWAYS good!!! ;)

[lhall]

I actually pretty good with portion control.

My husband is doing the Atkins Diet so he has to measure out his food, and while I'm doing Carbohydrate Addicts Diet I don't have to measure, but I try to eat small lunches because it has to be low-carb. I can be bad during my reward meal though. The other night I made eggplant parmesan and was absolutely stuffed!

If we weren't dieting I know we wouldn't be so good about it. But, I can finally wear most of my work clothes again:D

Leigh

[KValley]

Originally posted by Jewel
but I CANNOT understand those nutritionists who slap the labels on my Healthy Choice, Breyers, or Haagen Dazs Ice Cream and fully expect me to be satisfied with 1/2 cup. A half cup of ice cream is what I get when I've been BAD. When I'm GOOD I get much more than that, and I'm ALWAYS good!!! ;)

Jewel, you would think me most pathetic. My ice cream scoop IS the 1/2 measuring cup. Anal anal anal I know. By the way, I love your new avatar :D

Last Christmas, DH, Dad, Dad's SO and I each picked out a 1/2 pint of Dreamery ice cream (I think that's the right size- the small, 2 cup size). Anyway, the idea was that we'd pick our favorite flavor, then share. I guess Dad's SO didn't get the message- she ate her ENTIRE container (this after a big meal). I didn't know whether to be sick or simply impressed. This AIN'T light ice cream - We're talking at least 1200 calories, 60 grams of fat in one of those babies, not to mention that it's incredibly rich. Lactose overload!

A party trick I hope not to attempt :)

[hka]

I used to not measure either. It's just been in the recent past that I decided to measure. Whenever I make a CL recipe I do measure out my serving and will be sure to make a vegetable to go along with it. Especially, if the serving seems small, the vegetable helps me get my five a day in and helps fill me up. Like others have stated here, I've found that a serving is enough to make me feel satisfied. It's true when you go to restaurants that they give you more than you need. A lot of times, my husband and I will share something and then share a desert. It's a lot cheaper and we're probably getting more of what the serving should be. Not to mention that we get to be a little bad! :D

[Angela]

I hardly ever pay attention to serving size. Like rinsav, if the meal is 4 servings and my boyfriend and I eat it there are never any left overs! I always think, "Well it's CL, so it doesn't matter if I eat more". :D

[amcleod]

Weight Watchers does work. If I can do it, anyone can! I started in January and reached my goal a couple months ago. I think it is very easy to follow. No foods are off-limits, you just learn how to fit them into your day. I mean, if you wanted to eat a whole bag of chips, you could. Mind you, you might not be able to eat anything else but vegetables for the rest of the day, but you could eat that bag of chips. Of course WW does not condone this type of behavior, but we all have our days!

Portion control was my problem, pre ww. Now, I know how much a portion size is. that doesn't mean that I eat only one portion...but if I eat more than one portion, you have to count it accordingly and cut back elsewhere.

The scary thing is that I used to eat as much as my DH - who is almost a foot taller than me and can't gain weight even if he ate 2 pints of Ben & Jerry's a day.

[pmmahan]

I try to be careful with portion control - in fact, that is my method of maintaining my weight at its current level. I found that it is easy to lose weight(or maintain) if I can eat what I like, just in smaller sizes. :D

That's not to say that there aren't those times when I just want a humungous plate of pasta with meat sauce and a hunk of bread (carbo loading!)and I'll have it (then feel bloated afterwards :o )

I think with CL, most are right on target - I feel some of the things they make are generous portions, but I ALWAYS double the recipe if I am making one of their recipes for company. I'd rather have more than less.

Their desserts are another story, but I just figure that if I am doubling their teeny portions, oh well. The desserts aren't too bad, even if you double them!

[aggie94]

Originally posted by KValley
Last Christmas, DH, Dad, Dad's SO and I each picked out a 1/2 pint of Dreamery ice cream (I think that's the right size- the small, 2 cup size). Anyway, the idea was that we'd pick our favorite flavor, then share. I guess Dad's SO didn't get the message- she ate her ENTIRE container (this after a big meal). I didn't know whether to be sick or simply impressed. This AIN'T light ice cream - We're talking at least 1200 calories, 60 grams of fat in one of those babies, not to mention that it's incredibly rich. Lactose overload!

A party trick I hope not to attempt :)

I'm guessing you're talking about the pints of Dreamery, since I've never seen ice cream in a 1/2 pint size. There's technically 4 servings to the container? That's a pint. :) Anyway, I had to laugh at your horror. When I was in college, I would regularly go to town on pints of Blue Bell Ice Cream (any of y'all from Texas know Blue Bell). I'd easily finish off an entire pint in one sitting -- my favs were Mint Chocolate Chip and Banana Nut. I think I'd make myself sick now if I did that (not to mention grotesquely obese!). These days, I stick to a couple of spoonfuls at a time, easily less than the 1/2 cup suggested serving size.

hka mentioned sharing entrees and desserts at restaurants. DH & I had a similar conversation the other day. Sometimes we find ourselves at a restaurant and not terribly hungry. Still, we feel obligated to order the whole she-bang (sp?): appetizers, entrees, desserts, sometimes drinks. I think it has to do with the fact that when we were in college, we were SO broke (although we still ate out a lot) that we could never afford to order anything more than dinner. It was a treat when we could splurge on appetizers or dessert. Now, we feel like we appear to be "cheap" if we go out to eat and just order entrees, or share dishes. Crazy, huh?

[valeriek]

I used to be worried about poriton control, but I switched plate sizes. My dinner plates have the large plate size and then a smaller plate size. I used to eat on the large plate. When I switched plate sizes, I noticed I wasn't eating as much (I don't overload the plate because then I would FEEL like a pig, therefore smaller plate, smaller portions). I do notice on average that if I make a meal, I calculate that I will have leftovers for three days of lunch (the execption to this is risotto, which only leaves me two days of leftovers). If I think I will really try to pig out, I portion my lunch servings BEFORE I start eating, that way I know I will have four portions. Of course, I live alone and this whole theory is blown out the window when BF comes over for dinner. He wants the big plates and he eats most of the meal, to the point that I think I might have to start doubling recipes. Keep your fingers crossed for my portion control if we ever decide to get married!

[Nirak]

We have made a huge effort to reduce portion size and I think we have succeeded in general. We love CL recipes because, like some of you, we feel like if it's CL we can eat more. In fact, that's why we love our dinner group becuase everything is good and everything is light. I know we are kidding ourselves but it works for us. My theory on the CL portion size is that it is manipulated so that the fat per serving will be under 30%. Thus the cheesecake for 16, but some other things are more realistic.

[KLynn]

Here's another vote for WW. Between portion control and accountability, I think it is the absolute best method out there. At first I hated the idea of having to pay money to lose weight. I always thought I could do it on my own - but that never worked out!

When calculating the WW points for CL recipes, I am sometimes surprised that the points are higher than I would think they would be. It makes me wonder how many points are in the non-light recipes I make! Counting the points is tedious at first, but you begin to really get a handle on different foods, portions, etc. Now if I am bad, I am much more AWARE of just how bad I am!

[JennieL]

I'm good with portion control of desserts. I haven't touched a single one of my DD's Oreos! I don't read portion sizes for anything except desserts. I generally eat very healthy, but I eat way too fast. I've been REALLY working on portion control lately and I've lost a couple of pounds!

[AZLorena]

from a recovering "pig-out-aholic".

I have been working all summer to kick my habit of not controlling my portions. Here are a couple of things that have worked for me.

I have switched over to 5 or 6 mini meals...(sometimes a larger dinner)

Ziplock baggies and gladware containers. All of my snacks and leftovers get portioned out into ziplocks or containers of the appropriate size. If the bag says 11 pretzels=a 100 calorie portion, that is what goes in the bag. This way I don't have to think about when to stop eating.

When it comes to dinner.....There are a few things that I allow myself to go back for seconds on ......steamed veggies and salad. Other than that, I used the fist size portion rule for the most part. That doesn't mean that my whole meal has to be the size of my fist....but that the components of my meal are. This works ok if your meals are balanced.

It helps to have a couple of restaurants that you can go to and pig out.....like a salad bar place, as long as you stay away from the heavy salad dressings.

Anyway, I have lost almost 25 lbs since the beginning of June with this retraining strategy and walking. My husband feels like it is really helping him too. He has lost about 14 with just the diet portion. (he only exercises when I urge him too)

[Jen]

I too used to eat portions that were far too large...probably why I gained 40 lbs after high school! I've learned my lesson now - I always portion out the food at the stove, before it comes to the table. If I'm making leftovers, they go straight into the plastic containers for tomorrow's lunch. I find CL portions OK, actually (with some exceptions)...I guess I've just gotten used to eating the one piece of lasagne or one cup of risotto. Like KValley, if I'm making something that I think might leave me a bit hungry, I make a great big salad and fill up on that afterwards. I should say that for some CL recipes, I automatically double the portions (I'm on WW too, so only if my points will allow it)...for example, when I make the rice-spinach-feta pie (4 pts for 1/6 pie, I think) I always plan to have two slices with a salad. That's a pretty filling dinner, and I feel like I'm treating myself to seconds!

[MKSquared]

And here's yet another vote for WW.

That aside, I practice portion control on everything except vegetables, and I let myself go to town on however many I want. I'm speaking, of course, about unadulterated, non-saucy, non-creamy veggies. Sure, carrots and peas should count for something, but I'm pretty sure that nobody's getting overweight by pigging out on those. :)

For a great illustrated example of US portions vs. International portions (France, UK, Japan, Italy included), check out Self magazine. (I think it's the most current issue.) The largest size you can order at McDonald's in most places is the US version of "large." "SuperSizing" seems to be an option only in the United States.

[Don]

Well, I must admit that I used to eat portion sizes that were huge. After I developed diabetes, I have had to watch portion sizes very carefully (often to my chagrin). I still offer double portions to family and guests. Somehow I feel that I haven't provided enough food if I stick to the CL portion sizes.:rolleyes:

[vbak]

it was very interesting to read the responses to this thread. I knew that I couldn't be alone in my habits. Last year I really made drastic changes in our diets due to my chol. and triglyceride issues. I lost 22 lbs. and lowered my numbers drastically. However, we sometimes fall off the wagon. I felt much better when I controlled my portions and changed my cooking habits. I am once again inspired , by many of you who have changed your eating habits, to control our portions and eat less meat. Besides i have to have a blood test to renew my Lipator. :eek: :eek: Thanks for the comments. Vicky

[Jessica]

Both the DH and I struggle with portion control--we eat healthy food most of the time but too much of it. I am going to try some of the tips you suggested and see if they work for us.

btw--for those of you who measure food, do you find that after a while you can eyeball the correct portion? I would just get tired of dragging out the measuring cups each time.

[GayeC]

I gained some weight over the past few years (after passing age 40!) and could not understand why I couldn't lose it, as my diet is generally very healthy. After about 2 years of struggling I finally realized that my problem was not choice of food, but amount of food. Even though my servings were not huge they were too large for someone who wants to lose weight. So now I am very conscious of portions; I measure my servings if the food is "measureable" and try to "eye ball" it carefully if it is not. This has really helped me. I have lost nine pounds and am within three pounds of my goal. I have also started drinking more water (takes up the space left by those smaller portions!) and, of course, am exercising almost every day.

[Julia1Pin]

Normally, CL portion are for 4 or 5 people. I eat between 1-2 portions, DH eats between 2-3 portion, and any leftovers go into the refrigerator, rarely to surface again.

The way I look at it, even if I eat 2 portions, that's all I eat for dinner, and it is CL, so even 2 portions aren't bad for you.

Like everyone else, I do eat quickly though. It's gotten better though, since I've been with DH. He eats like a snail, and I have slooowwweeeddd down considerably, to try and keep "down" with him.

[andrea]

for me... a CL 4-serving dinner = 2 dinners and 1 lunch

[greysangel]

Susan it works! I have lost 106 lbs to date :)

As for portion control...I usually halve recipes because hubby doesn't really like leftoevers so I'm left with them. I am pretty good with portion control...the only thing I usually double for dinner are pasta dishes because I know 1 cup would not satisfy me. However chicken breast halves, small desserts, 3-5 oz of red meat with 1/2 of rice or pasta and veggies is usually enough for me...this has come after MONTHS of training!!

So if a recipe serves 4, I usually double hubby portion, have one portion and one for leftover :)

One thing I noticed (thanks to WW in part) is that I wasn't eating unhealthy...just way too much. My dinner portions were ok but I was eating far too much during the day. You really don't need as much food as society wants you to believe! If I have a small breakfast, small lunch (single portion) with two tiny snacks during the day, I find I have enough calories/WW points to do a double portion at dinner or single portion with dessert (:D) and be completely satisfied.

JeAnne

P/s re. measuring. If you pull out the scales and measuring cups FAITHFULLY for 1-2 weeks, you will find that you can eyeball pretty well. My eyeballing usually grows bigger over time :D so every couple months (or when the scale starts slowing down) I pull out the cups and scales again!

[tammy/MN]

i have been off & on ww for a few years, even in my "off ww" times, i am always aware of portions, somethings you just can't stop--i still have a plastic 1/2t measuring spoon in my sugar bowl so i can measure my morning sugar for my coffee, from the first time i joined WW 8 yrs ago!

i'm a compulsive point watcher, i can't seem to read a recipe w/o calculating the points. my DH laughs how all we ever eat is light or fat free and we are neither! i said if i didn't eat those things i would be 500# instead of 50# overweight!

i even lighten some of CL's recipes even more!

my only hurdle now is staying away from diet sodas, drinks, etc--i read an email about the dangers of nutrasweet,etc so i'm trying to stay away. i'm still getting used to eating cereal w/o a sweetner!