Portion Control
July 20, 2009 by James Simpson
Filed under Articles
“HUGE” – That’s the word to describe the confusion about portion sizes (as well as the portions themselves). One example: A sports arena in the Midwest sells an 8-inch bun piled high with five 1/3-pound beef patties, chili, chips, and cheese that weighs in at 4,800 calories.
As restaurants pump up their serving sizes, we reflexively reset our default for what is normal, according to Brian Wansink, PhD, Cooking Light Nutrition Essentials advisory panelist and director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. Bigger portion sizes (with more calories and possible saturated ft or sodium) likely entice you to eat more, says Wansink. Yet for maintaining your weight, eating proper portions is key.
TIPS to help with por
tion control.
- The easiest way to control what you eat is to cook at home, where you can plate a sensible amount.
Choose right-size plates. On overscaled china, your healthful portion may seem skimpy.
As you serve meals, measure individual portions of difficult-to-judge foods like pasta.
When you eat out, finish half your entrée, then bring home the rest to enjoy later.
-Kathy Kitchens Downie, RD10 Best Foods for Your Heart
March 27, 2009 by James Simpson
Filed under Articles
Simple food choices go a long way when it comes to your heart’s health. Focusing on fresh foods full of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants can decrease your risk of developing heart disease and cut your chances of a heart attack. These 10 foods will help keep your ticker in top shape.
Oatmeal
Start your day with a steaming bowl of oats, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear.
Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties — the coarse and steel-cut contain more fiber — and top your bowl off with a banana for another four grams of fiber.
