Avoid Portion Distortion

Being aware of the fact that food manufacturers and restaurants are supersizing our food choices is the first step towards managing them. Even low-calorie foods can add up to a hefty calorie count when portions get too big. Healthy eating includes both making healthful food choices and understanding portion sizes.

Scientific research has shown the larger the portion size, the more you are likely to eat!

Take the Portion Distortion Challenge

Without using a measuring cup, pour what you consider to be one cup of dry cereal into a bowl. Now use a dry measuring cup to check how much you actually poured. How accurate was your pour? Try the same thing with your favorite beverage. Pour what you consider to be one cup, or 8 ounces, into a cup. Next, pour that amount into a liquid measuring cup. How accurate were you? Most people overestimate. That is, what they thought was one cup was actually 1 1/2 or 2 cups.