EUGENIZATION.

Now this is a great idea. Can’t say I agree with their execution (more FDA approved food pyramid crap again), but the concept is right on.

Most people looking to lose weight have no idea as to the size of proper portions (that’s another reason, BTW, I believe in “lifestyle” approaches like a low-carb approach or Nina Planck’s approach - they automatically prevent overconsumption through hormonal manipulation and food volume). A resource like MyPhotoDiet.com is just the thing for those who unwittingly have no clue as to how much they are consuming.

Today, a client, lamenting that he wasn’t losing weight, remarked to me that he really didn’t eat much (hard for me to believe since he took me out for dinner once). He began to list off his daily consumption, starting with breakfast: a bagel, juice, cereal, etc.

Aside from the fact that he wasn’t listening to any of my dietary suggestions, there’s a serious flaw in this kind of thinking:

You ate a bagel? How big was it? Was it a typical New York deli bagel, a cool 680 calories (with nothing on it)? How much juice, one 12 oz glass, or more likely, a 20 oz glass (260 calories)? That’s already almost 1000 calories - for just a bagel and OJ!

Learning portion sizes isn’t a must for someone looking to decrease body fat, but it sure helps. Some simple estimates are:

• A single serving (3 oz) of meat is about the size of your palm.
• One serving of fruit is about the size of a baseball.
• A single serving of nuts (1/4 cup) is about the size of a golf ball.
• If you’re going to eat grains, a serving will fit in your cupped hand (just one).

Portioning is most useful if you’re the analytical type that likes tracking calories, macronutrient breakdowns, etc., but anyone who’s looking to lose weight should acquaint themselves with the “true” sizes of food portions to ensure they’re being judicious with their choices.

Above: Portioning and serving sizes go completely out the window after snowboarding.