P is for...

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Portion Control:
Waistlines and portion sizes are growing. If you are watching your weight or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, controlling how much you consume is a great way to start! Research has shown that people generally eat all that they serve themselves, so we are going to provide a few tips to help prevent overindulging.
1.       Use smaller plates. Using a larger plate allows for more food on it. Using a smaller plate creates the optical illusion that you have much more food because your plate is full. Research shows people generally will pause and think twice before going to get a second serving. Bonus tip: load that plate with vegetables! Veggies are low in calories, sodium and fat. Next time you are fixing your plate, try to make half of it vegetables and take note on how you feel when you finish eating. 
2.      Ask for half portions when eating out. Restaurants have a big reputation for big portions. If you are with a partner or friend, split something (save calories and cash)! If not, ask for a to go box immediately after ordering. Out of sight out of mind here! When you’re in a restaurant, it can be very easy to mindlessly eat- avoid this by packing up half of your food before you begin. Bonus tip: if you can substitute grilled for fried, try it! If you are ordering something with dressing, try it on the side!
3.       Drink water! Water before a meal can act as a natural way to feel full and be well hydrated! Its as simple as that
4.      Pay attention. Try to avoid eating out of boredom or mindless eating. When you take a moment to slow down and really enjoy your food, you will likely find that you are eating less and have more control. Eating in front of a television or out of a container are two ways to quickly lose focus on how much you eat, so be cautious of what you’re eating, where you are eating and how you feel when you are eating.
Portion Control Made Easy in 4 Steps - Being Badass with Betty ...
Regardless of your goals, being aware of portions and having control over what/when you eat makes all the difference. Try some of these tips and let us know how they work!

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