Chelle 42 yr old Pagan Witch, mom of 4, living in the MidWest
willowraven's Journal
Week 2 Part 5, New Resolutions ChallengeJan 19 2007 05:01
Part 5) Week 2 Activity of the Week! Size Matters!!! Do you know yours??? (or understanding Energy Density).
Oddly enough I read the chapter in the "Mayo Clinic" book on this exact topic about 4 or 5 nights ago so yep, I can say that I do understand it, and it makes more sense, and it has made me re-evaluate my diet and my way of eating. I used to just see the foods at fat/protein/carb/calories and not really much beyond that. I was getting frustrated that I would not eat a lot quantity wise and be at 1000 calories already, and couldn't understand how others were saying they couldn't even get 1500 calories in because they felt like they were eating all the time. And then I read that chapter and it all started to make more sense. So I did some re-thinking and decided that I am going to change my diet a bit and make it more plant and grain based. As I said in my prior post, I went shopping today and bought all kinds of grain foods, legumes and lentils - all good, healthy foods that I saw mentioned in the book that I will actually eat and find different ways to prepare them. I also bought some spices, like curry powder, and splurged on a small bottle of light-tasting olive oil.
I have been on diets most of my life. I learned how to eyeball portions a while ago. I know that a serving of fish is equal to a deck of cards and that meat is 1/2 a deck of cards. Stuff like pasta a rice would be about equal to what could fit in your cupped hand. In regards to cheese, I use mostly sliced cheese, so that is 1 slice = 1 serving, typically. For the most part I can eyeball a tablespoon (teaspoon is a little tougher) and when I go out to eat, which is not often, I usually end up bringing home part of the meal. In regards to snacks (for example, a weakness of mine is Cheez-Its), I will go based on what the package states is a serving. In the case of Cheez-It's, 27 crackers = 1 serving so I will count out 27 crackers. Today when I went shopping I bought small 'snack' baggies with the zipper so I can count out my snacks and such ahead of time - 1 bag = 1 serving. I think that will help me in the long run by #1) controlling my portions and #2) help me see exactly how off I might have been.
Oddly enough I read the chapter in the "Mayo Clinic" book on this exact topic about 4 or 5 nights ago so yep, I can say that I do understand it, and it makes more sense, and it has made me re-evaluate my diet and my way of eating. I used to just see the foods at fat/protein/carb/calories and not really much beyond that. I was getting frustrated that I would not eat a lot quantity wise and be at 1000 calories already, and couldn't understand how others were saying they couldn't even get 1500 calories in because they felt like they were eating all the time. And then I read that chapter and it all started to make more sense. So I did some re-thinking and decided that I am going to change my diet a bit and make it more plant and grain based. As I said in my prior post, I went shopping today and bought all kinds of grain foods, legumes and lentils - all good, healthy foods that I saw mentioned in the book that I will actually eat and find different ways to prepare them. I also bought some spices, like curry powder, and splurged on a small bottle of light-tasting olive oil.
I have been on diets most of my life. I learned how to eyeball portions a while ago. I know that a serving of fish is equal to a deck of cards and that meat is 1/2 a deck of cards. Stuff like pasta a rice would be about equal to what could fit in your cupped hand. In regards to cheese, I use mostly sliced cheese, so that is 1 slice = 1 serving, typically. For the most part I can eyeball a tablespoon (teaspoon is a little tougher) and when I go out to eat, which is not often, I usually end up bringing home part of the meal. In regards to snacks (for example, a weakness of mine is Cheez-Its), I will go based on what the package states is a serving. In the case of Cheez-It's, 27 crackers = 1 serving so I will count out 27 crackers. Today when I went shopping I bought small 'snack' baggies with the zipper so I can count out my snacks and such ahead of time - 1 bag = 1 serving. I think that will help me in the long run by #1) controlling my portions and #2) help me see exactly how off I might have been.
You have hit it right on the head with the portions input...You really have to work at getting that right...I got one of those books and have been really trying to measure and weigh stuff...You are one very well informed lady...thanks for sharing the information...Have a good day... ;-) |
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