Portion control is one of the biggest challenges in any weight loss plan. Popcorn I can eat forever; broccoli, not so much. I’ve been doing some reading, and it’s becoming clearer to me that there are certain foods I should stay away from if I want any long term success. Popcorn with nutritional yeast is one of them. I start off great–I use minimal oil and prepare reasonable portions. Then, over time, the oil and popcorn servings increase. I know I am in full binge mode when I pick and nibble at my dinner so that I can have more room for popcorn later. Not good!
So, popcorn is out for a while until I can get a grip on something other than the popcorn bowl.
Speaking of bowls and portions, I did a search on the internet for premeasured, portion controlled bowls. I was looking for something I could use to measure portions for grains, vegetables, and starches, but it also had to be something I could use as dinnerware. You can use a simple measuring cup to portion out your food, but the only thing I hate more than a dirty kitchen is washing dishes. I was looking for a multi-use product.
This set from Mario Batali is not marketed for portion control, but I’ve read online that people do use them for this purpose.
Here are some solid, basic bowls. They come in a set of four, and are all the same size. I like that there are multiple measurements inside the bowl. You can find them HERE.
This is a set of four sweet snack bowls, portioned out to 4 ounces. This is a really great size for kids, and the website has quite a few recipes and snack ideas, too. You can find them HERE.
Last, but not least, my favorite MESU Bowls. They have cute graphics to distinguish portion size and a fill line to let you know when to say when. Good luck finding them! I couldn’t find a source online that had them in stock. Even DELIGHT is out of stock!
I haven’t decided which ones I am going to buy. I might wait for the MESU bowls if the backorder isn’t too long. Does anyone reading use portion controlled bowls and plates? Let me know if they worked!
All it takes is one great mind (yours!) to get me thinking out of the box, er, bowl! I never thought that my bowl could also serve as my measure-er! Brilliant! I like the ones that say “over” on the bottom, because I could always go back for more, but these would make me think twice. =)
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Portion control for me has always been my downfall. I tried the diet plates and such, but the idea gets tired really fast. One thing I discovered last month that is totally cool and helped me with daily portion control is Flavor Magic. I can�t find it in stores, so I buy it online since they offer free shipping. I get it at http://www.portioncontrol.net. I actually started using it for my husband and kids since it is so simple and tasty. I LOVE THEM. It�s really a nifty idea, and I recommend it if you like cooking at home but are struggling with eating right.
We started using small plates and bowls awhile back and that seems to help with portion control. I will fill my plate no matter the size and I like to have seconds. Also, for things like crackers or whatever, I like to portion it out into snack size baggies so I know how much is a single serving. Set myself up for success.
i totally agree with kelly there about portioning crackers and things into baggies. for some reason my OCD finds it really soothing to count out seventeen tortilla chips into sandwich bags. and i love love love those white bowls with the measurements on the inside; would be SO good for cereal!
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Not that I was doing great…and now you know it’s a moot point for me…but I use the little plates that came with our set. And I can HEAP it full so I feel like I”m getting a lot, but I’m really not. I generally give dh the bigger plate.
This is a great idea> I liked Kelly’s idea. too. Maybe I should get a portion controlled fridge.
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Kendra–I deleted your link because it was too long. You can shorten it at Tinyurl.com. :) I saw the ADA shop yesterday, thanks!
I love the white ones with the different measurements inside. That would actually be helpful!
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No problem! Saw the bowls and had to post it. I love those too and would be really tempted to buy them myself if I knew I wouldn’t get “the look” from my DH.
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Hey Jules, I tried Popcorn with nutritional yeast because I read it here. I love it. Are you saying it’s not a good thing to do? Can you explain more?
I have the green bowls and they are nice, but I found out the hard way that they are not for the microwave. I don’t know if that matters to you though.
Oh portion control! It’s my worst enemy! I LOVE those MESU bowls though!