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The #1 Weight Loss Factor:
Unhealthy Food Portions
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Many Americans believe bigger is better; bigger cars, bigger homes, and bigger or “Super Size Me” meals. When is comes to healthy eating, bigger is simply bigger, not better. In fact it is very unhealthy.
Bigger portions are a chief contributor to obesity. In America, obesity is now classified as a national epidemic. The 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from The Center for Disease Control revealed 66% of adults in the US are either overweight or obese. “It’s the big elephant in the room no one quite knows how to manage,” according to Skip Rimer, Director of Communications for the Milken Institute. A recent research report from The Milken Institute,
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Why Do We Have More Lower Belly Fat and Pooch Sag?
Couple reasons according to Dr. Petrofsky: First, fat like everything else travels South due to gravity. Fat cells are also loosely held together than muscle or bones making them even more susceptible to gravity’s pull. Second, our upper abdominals are held in tight by our rib cage which is a natural girdle holding in our vital organs and intra-abdominal fat.
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An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease-Charting a New Course to Save Lives and Increase Productivity and Economic Growth in America, found obesity is the #1 risk factor negatively impacting our nations economic human resources. Obesity related diseases like heart disease and diabetes to name a few, cost our nation over $1.1 trillion dollars in lost productivity, while another $277 trillion is spent annually on medical treatment.
Bigger portions are one of the major contributors to America’s increased weight gain, according to Dorothy Bernet, M.S., R.D. of Healthy By Design Nutrition in LA. “A couple decades ago the standard plate size in most restaurants across the nation was 9 inches. Now the standard size is 12 ½ inches, which is an alarming increase of 33%. (Dorothy suggests try eating on a salad plate if your goal is weight loss). Carl’s Jr. has a double burger that is one pound of meat! A healthy, suggested protein serving is 3 ounces or roughly the size of a deck of cards or a computer mouse. Everyone knows soda is another sneaky, hidden calorie culprit as it is all empty sugar calories. Did you know today’s average soda serving is 2 ½ times the amount compared to 20 years ago? A recommended serving of pasta (carbs) is ½ cup cooked or the size of your fist. Most restaurants serve 2 to 3 cups of pasta. That’s 5-6 servings of carbs, not to mention most folks also reach for the breadbasket. Is there any question why we are getting fatter?"
Today, nutritionists emphasize the importance of eating healthy food portions based on your age, gender, activity level, and desired weight goal whether it’s weight loss, gain or maintenance. An easy online guide to help you figure out your healthy food portion is the US Department of Agriculture’s web site, www.mypyramid.gov. Always read recipes and package labels including recommended serving size. *Note if a package is small do not assume it’s only one serving as high calorie and high fat foods are often presented in smaller packaging so beware.
Remember to take the time to real labels and recipes especially suggested serving size. Eating healthy food potions will give you proper nutrition and energy to enjoy your life optimally. Healthy food portions will help you achieve your desired weight goal because fad diets don’t work. Making good choices by eating healthy, individual food portions will.
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