Diet Plate Miracle
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Often when we are trying to lose weight, the first thing we do is eliminate certain foods from our diet, for example, carbohydrates. The danger of this approach is two-fold. First, the minute we deny ourselves a particular food, we tend to fixate on that food. This can lead to binging in a moment of weakness, followed by feelings of shame that we were unable to stick to the plan. The second danger is related to the idea of balanced eating. Removing an entire food group from our diet is unhealthy, as well as unrealistic. A much better approach is currently being studied at the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada.
Portion control is a huge issue in our society. When we dine at a new restaurant, our friends want to know how big the portions are before they inquire about the taste or even the price! If portion sizes are monitored and maintained, weight loss follows without denying ourselves the foods we love to eat. Many choose to purchase ready-made foods that are already portioned appropriately for weight loss, but there are easier and more enjoyable ways to eat while losing weight.
A new product called The Diet Plate provides a sectioned plate that you simply fill with the appropriate food group. Studies are showing that these diet tools are helping people to lose weight. In fact, people using the plates were 4-6 times more likely to lose 5% of their body weight by changing only the plate that they used to eat from. A loss of 5% of your weight is directly linked to a significant decrease in your risk of developing diseases such as diabetes and heart attack.
Before you go out and order a plate, I would like to offer you an inexpensive way to produce similar results. Taking a small dinner plate (approximately 9 inches across), you can divide it up yourself for similar results. First, divide the plate across the middle, using an indelible marker, tape or whatever you have. Just ensure that you do not poison yourself with your divider! Then, divide one of the halves into 2 quarters. In other words, divide one half of the plate in half. There you have it, a portion control tool that has been shown to reduce body weight.
The largest section of your plate is to be filled with vegetables. One quarter is for meat or protein, and the other quarter is for carbohydrates. It really is that easy. Obviously, the foods that you put into the sections are still important. The healthier the foods you fill the plate with, the better your results will be. For example, choosing whole wheat pasta rather than bleached, white pasta will help you on your way to weight loss. Adding less creamy, high fat salad dressings to your vegetable portion is another tip. Adding a serving of fruit and dairy on the side completes your balanced meal. If you can monitor your portions through dividing your plate in this way, one thing is certain, you will begin to lose weight.