A Look at a Portion Adjustment

So this week let’s look at a simple way to begin a change that really does work over the long run. When traveling and / or shopping and you’re in the mood for something that will fit in the “not so healthy” department, instead of buying the “big” size that will be more economically effective or have some to eat later or “share” with someone at home, bite the bullet and pay the “higher” rate for the individual package size.

All the “reasoning” in the world does not matter when the fact is that when you get into the “big bag” you will eat a lot more than if you only have the individual size because when it’s gone, it’s gone and there’s no going back for 2nds or 3rds or 4ths or hiding them so you have them for later (I now I’ve been guilty of that in my days!)

Try just getting into these habits. If you end up buying the “economically best size” because you do share it with others in your household for lunches, snacks or dinner, divide it up into individual sized baggies or containers. Then make them hard to get to or put them in the section for your children to get their snacks from or the section to make lunches with. If you organize your kitchen into “categories” for your food – it really does help and work. What I put in the cabinet for my grandchildren’s snacks I am much less likely to eat. I have “my section” for snacks and foods I eat and I choose from that area instead of from the cabinet I have with the food needed for preparing dinners or available for my grandchildren / guests.

These may sound like a pain or extra work – but it really does pay off and the longer you get in the habit of doing these little tips / changes, the more automatic it becomes.
Then as you get “used” to eating smaller sizes, you realize you register feeling “full” or satisfied much easier than if you are mindlessly eating out of the “big bag”. You are also less likely to get up and go “dig” for a second container if you’re watching tv or doing other work when your smaller amount is done. Also by the time you get around to getting it – you can often be satisfied with what you already ate and either choose a healthier 2nd option or go clean your teeth with some strong toothpaste and be “done” with your eating for the time being.

These do work – especially when you stick to it and it is amazing how one little change triggers other positive changes and choices.

Blessings as you explore this “change in one’s thinking” and come up with some other “little tricks” that you can use to start making small changes in your habits that will lead to long term results.