The Portion Plate is an interactive tool for teaching consumers appropriate diet portion control. Unlike a text-based paper educational brochure, The Portion Plate is an actual melamine, dishwasher-safe portion control plate that offers a tangible demonstration of how much food we should eat. Not only are the illustrated areas a good guide to follow, but the components of a good meal are also presented. This means 1/2 of your plate should be a fruit and vegetable portion, 1/4 of your plate a whole grain portion, and the remaining 1/4 a lean protein meat portion.
About The Portion Plate
TM
"I'm working towards reaching a healthy weight and have dropped 25 of my 75 excess pounds so far. The plate is immensely helpful as it keeps me honest and encouraged! Focus matters, as does intent. The plate is my ally in resetting my intention on my focus each time I see and/or use it." Leah Palki Be, Lakewood Colorado
Diet Portion Control Done Right – Healthy Tips from The Portion Plate
As we have already discussed, filling your plate with the correct portion sizes is imperative during weight loss or weight management programs, but it is important to mention that the foods and lifestyle you choose will also have a great effect on your results. As you are following the portions provided for you on your plate, also consider the healthy eating tips below:
Eat 5-9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables
Use whole grains instead of refined (white) bread, rice, cereal or pasta
Cut back on sweetened drinks and soda. A 12oz. can of soda contains 10 tsp of sugar or high fructose corn syrup (empty calories that do not satisfy hunger)
Limit fats to less than 20% of daily intake. Avoid saturated or trans fats and replace with plant based oils - olive, canola and peanut
Use low fat dairy products
Walk or exercise every day!
If you get a supersized meal, share it with a friend or take half home
Avoid buffets
Ask for heart healthy menu items or for baked, broiled or steamed foods
Skip the bread, rolls and tortilla chips
Ask for salad dressing on the side. Use it sparingly if high in fat
Put your fork down between bites. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that it's full.
It is a strategy that someone can start using right away with their next meal. The research suggests that diet portion control is behaviorally, an easier strategy to begin using.
2. Visual cues help re-train the mind and help increase awareness of proper portion sizes.
The portion control plate is something that is easily understood by using recognizable visual cues that the intended audience can understand and relate to
The research states that people are not necessarily aware that they are over-eating and if they are aware, they are confused as to what a correct portion size is
These types of visual cues closely relate to suggested serving sizes, and will help raise awareness
and clear up confusion
3. The divisions on the plate help teach proper proportions and the components of a healthy diet. (¼ meat portion; ¼ whole grains; ½ fruits and vegetables)
It emphasizes proportion addressing the importance of “what” we eat. The American Cancer
Society has material called The Great American Plate which is a colorful way to teach and learn about “what” makes up a healthy plate.
4. The color-coded fonts and plate design offers opportunities to incorporate teaching principles of the New Food Guide Pyramid.
5. Luncheon-size plate helps people serve themselves smaller portions and control unintentional over-eating.
6. The messaging on the kids plate links healthy eating with healthy outcomes such as being a better student, athlete etc. Healthy eating helps kids play better and learn better. It deliberately avoids any reference to eating with appearance.
