Portion control (dieting)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Portion control is understanding how much a serving size is and how many calories a serving contains. Portion control is important for weight management as the weight is defined by the total calorie intake. Healthy eating, using Aristotle's philosophy, is the desirable middle between two extremes of excess and the other of deficiency (over eating and not eating enough), the "golden mean." Portion control is eating a healthy balance of amount and types, of varied foods.

Food guide pyramids are used as a visual aid to help people eat a varied diet and control portions.

The failure to control portions is often caused by emotional factors such as a depressed mood or boredom. To avoid overeating triggered by emotions, planning meals ahead and using smaller dishes may be helpful.

[edit] See also

• Serving size
• Mindless eating
• Nutritional facts

[edit] References

• Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think
• Portion control: 7 things you need to know. Calorie Counter. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.
• "Does Package Size Accelerate Consumption Volume?" (2005) Journal of Marketing, Brian Wansink, 60:3 (January), 1-14.

[edit] External links

• Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?
• Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid
• Portion Control Plates at Healthy Plates

• Mindless eating [1]