More Is Not Always Better

by Dr. Brett L. Lukert, DC

When it comes to food options, America is living in a super-size world that seems to readily endorse a “more is better” mentality. We all want more for our money and will take advantage of any “all you can eat buffet” we can find. This is a major reason why 70 percent of us are overweight and is one of the reasons we have so many health problems.

The importance of portion control is underestimated, and the trend toward bigger portions is partially responsible for the growing number of overweight and obese people. Healthy foods also cost twice as much as regular foods, which is why most of us don’t spend the money on food that is good for us. It seems like we will eat just about anything, no matter how unhealthy it is, if it saves us a couple bucks. Until we decide that our bodies have extraordinary value, we probably will continue to go down this road.

Learning to eat healthier foods in moderation takes discipline, but portion control does not mean we cannot occasionally satisfy our sweet tooth. It’s okay to indulge on an ice cream cone or a piece of pie (my personal favorite) once in awhile. We just need to keep these to a minimum. We can eat the foods we enjoy and still take off the pounds, provided we consistently exercise. Committing to proper portion control on a consistent basis allows us to have more energy, lose weight, have less risk for disease, and naturally feel better about ourselves.

If discipline at the dinner table is a challenge, here are a few portion control tips to keep in mind as the holiday season is approaching:

•  Use smaller dinner plates. This allows reasonable portion sizes while still satisfying our need to visualize a full plate.
•  Order a child’s plate.
•  Ask for a doggy bag when the meal arrives and save half of the food for another day.
•  Minimize overeating by placing appropriate servings on each plate rather than putting serving bowls on the table.
•  Don’t go back for seconds.
•  Split the meal with a friend or spouse.

Enjoy the holidays, and remember to eat and drink responsibly. This will help us be healthy, live healthy, and stay healthy. Happy Thanksgiving!