Portion Control Plates Educate Eating for Sustained Weight Loss

By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.

Many health professionals are advocating the concept of "portion control" as the key to losing weight and keeping it off. This is done through educating people on how to manage their own eating habits in a healthy and balanced way, particularly by monitoring carbohydrate and protein intake. This is a very successful method of helping dieters manage their own eating habits as it teaches them to visually balance the food on their plates.

The "New American Plate" model as established by The American Institute for Cancer Research is a pictorial representation that shows the proportions of food groups that represent a healthy, balanced diet. Using this system, health professionals can teach people to visually balance the food on their plates by composing their meals of 1/3 (or more) fruit and vegetables, 1/3 (or more) whole grains and potatoes, about 2/15 animal protein or alternatives, 1/15 fatty food and sugar and 2/15 milk and dairy.

Yet, while balance is good, that alone does not accomplish weight loss, and it is common knowledge that, in order to lose weight, one must eat less. Correspondingly, The British Dietetics Association has established portion-size guidelines for female dieters of 55g - 85g of protein and 85g - 110g of carbohydrates and, for male dieters, between 110g - 140g of protein and 140g - 170g of carbohydrates.

This principle of balance and reducing portion size form the basis of numerous dieting strategies. For many dieters though, the problem arises when it becomes necessary to have to weigh out portion sizes. With the portion-control concept people are taught how to visually monitor their food intake, eliminating the need to weigh food, therefore making it a more natural and adaptable process. There are a number of products on the market to aid in this process. They provide visual boundaries indicating portion sizes that correspond to the weights set out in the American Plate Model. One example is 'The Diet Plate.'

There are four plates to choose from - the Female and Male Diet Plates and Female and Male Maintenance Plates - plus the Calorie Control Breakfast Bowl. Each Diet Plate comes with an instructional booklet and success chart.

Food is simply placed in the appropriate section, which is calibrated to be equal to the weights in the guidelines, and the dieter has to ensure that the food groups do not slide over the boundaries. The portion-control method of dieting is so successful because it can be directly incorporated into daily life without weighing food or counting calories. It is educational and simple, which are the keys to its success. And, it is the long-term and sustainable way of dieting, which becomes more of a lifestyle than a fad.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY - A GROWING PROBLEM

In 1999, 13 percent of children aged 6 to 11 years and 14 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years in the United States were overweight . A fundamental cause of this is that parents do not know how much food their children actually need.

How many calories do you think your child needs?

When you compare the chart to the amount of calories in foods that some children regularly eat, you can see how easy it is for a child to become overweight.

McDonald's Hamburger, medium fries and milk shake = 790 calories

Mars Bar = 230 calories

Bag chips = 160 calories

It is very common to think your child needs plenty of energy because they are "growing kids." Yet the dangers inherent in giving your child too much food can stay with them for a lifetime. Childhood obesity generates a whole range of problems, from the psychological one of being bullied, to the more serious life-threatening illnesses of diabetes and heart disease. In order to combat this, it is important for both you and your child to learn sensible eating habits, understanding the importance of a balanced diet and appropriate portion sizes. Once learned, these lessons will then stay with you both for life.

Helping a child lose weight is a very delicate issue for parents because they don't want their children to feel inadequate and stigmatised at home.

A diet tool called "The Child's Plate" has just been launched. It is aimed at boys and girls aged 4-11 years old. The concept is based on the principle of portion control, which teaches people how to control their own portion sizes in order to reduce their caloric intake and therefore lose weight. Not only this, it also teaches people to balance their food into protein, carbohydrates, cheese and vegetables - a vital lesson for a long-term healthy diet.

The Child's Plate is decorated with a magical design where, with a wave of his wand, the wizard splits the plate into the correct portion sizes for carbohydrates and proteins. There is also a magic box for cheese and a middle section for those combination meals such as spaghetti Bolognese. The rest of the plate can then be filled with fresh vegetables. Using this, not only is the child's caloric intake reduced, leading to weight loss, but the child learns how to eat in a sensible, balanced way and remains blissfully unaware that he or she is on a diet.

The Diet Plate and Child's Plate cost $19.99 each plus $2.99 shipping and handling. They are available by calling 1-845-330-6121 or online at www.thedietplate.com (website prices may vary slightly).