In the fast-paced world we live in today, convenience sometimes overshadows the idea of eating mindfully. Eating directly from bags or boxes has become a common way to overeat. It may seem harmless but this practice allows one to lose track of portion sizes and consume more food than usual. An easy but effective solution to this problem is to serve food on a plate or in a bowl.
The Troublesome Taboo of Eating Straight Out of the Package
Eating directly from one of the packages means you have no clear visual cue of how much you’re eating. Research indicates that when people have access to larger portions or containers, they are likely to eat more. That’s because our brains look for visual and environmental clues to determine how much we should eat. When we don’t have a specific amount in front of us to stick with, we are free to munch thoughtlessly — often until we finish the bag.
Portioning Your Food And The Benefits
- Greater Awareness of Consumption: Eating from a plate or bowl gives you a visual cue as to how much you’re consuming, ensuring you eat a reasonable portion size.
- Contains Portions: Limiting portions helps prevent mindless calorie consumption from trickling in.
- Promotes Mindful Eating: When you portion out your food, it reminds you to eat at a slower pace and to enjoy every bite, especially with high-calorie mezze platters that usually lean toward the delicious-but-filling end of the spectrum — a good thing, as doing so will ensure a more effective digestion, as well as overall satisfaction.
- Aid Weight Control: Proper portion control is an effective method for keeping a healthy weight and preventing overconsumption of calories.
Go easy on the Tastes and Sampling
- Use Smaller Plates and Bowls: Research indicates that using smaller dishware makes portions look larger, which helps to avoid overeating.
- Check Serving Sizes: Understand what constitutes a serving based on nutrition labels and measure it out.
- Pre-Portion Snacks: Don’t eat from a big bag, portion it out ahead of time.
- Practice Distraction-free Eating: Try not to eat while watching TV or scrolling on your phone.
Conclusion
Although it may seem like a little habit, eating straight out of the package can take a serious toll on your food consumption overall. Plateelings your food also gives you the feeling of a proper meal, helps with portion control, encourages eating slower, promotes eating in one location and helps avoid continuous grazing of snacks. Such small changes can gradually contribute to a healthier eating routine and lifetime wellness.
