Hello Loyal Soup People!
I recently read about an interesting study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In short, the researchers learned that people are able to change their perceptions of portion size. This is an important finding because large portion sizes are often the culprits in weight gain. We’re trained at an early age that our meals are done when our plates are clean. This concept, quite simply, is inherently wrong. Our meals should be finished when we are full – regardless of what is on our plates!
Back to the study – researchers learned that participants who were offered smaller portions of quiche for lunch for a few days came to associate the smaller portion with a “normal” size. Basically, we can learn to adjust our concept of a standard portion. For example, one might currently think of a full sandwich as a standard size. But, if one eats half a sandwich for a few days, our appetites will adjust accordingly. We can fill the other half the plate with a salad!
If, when served a plate of food, your eyes widen over the size of the portion, you’re heading in the right direction! No need to clean your plate. Eat slowly, enjoy every bite, and stop when you are full. Try portioning out smaller amounts and see how they look. Test yourself! Retrain yourself. Take control of your portions and you might start seeing results!
Love,
Soupermom
*NOTE – Soupermom is not a licensed dietitian, doctor, personal trainer, or anything like that. She’s just extremely knowledgeable about healthy living!! But if you slip and fall while taking her advice, it is not her fault!
Marilyn Polon (Soupermom), Co-Founder and CAO (chief anxiety officer) has been worried about Soupergirl since the company launched in 2008. Actually, even before that. Her career has also been random and fascinating. After twenty years as a speech therapist, Soupermom changed careers and became a volunteer coordinator. She then had a wonderful stint as a docent at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. She was then dragged out of retirement by her daughter who insisted that they start a soup company. Could that be any more random?
All of the company’s recipes come from Soupermom’s kitchen. Honestly, she’s a testament to the power of healthy eating. Her hobbies include really long hikes, walking, doting on her granddaughters, and coming up with new recipes for Soupergirl. She is also a guru of all things health related but gets the words to every single song she sings incorrect. All of them. Loudly. Lastly, her laugh is contagious.