Tools for Intentional Living – Dr. J. Nickens

Having a full portion in view can distort your sense of the portion on your plate…

so even a full plate looks less than full 

 when sitting next to a heaping-full platter!

It’s all a matter of perspective!  Just like an optical illusion that fools our brain into seeing something other than what is actually there, sitting a very full plate next to a really full platter can fool us into thinking that our plate holds only a small portion.  

What can help is to learn how to judge portion sizes more accurately.  Here’s an example of the kinds of illustrations of portion equivalents that are available on the internet:

                                   If you can learn to measure your portions by using easily remembered objects and the equivalent volume they each represent, you will be able to manage your food intake very easily and without anyone else even noticing!

This is the easy part of course.   Keeping yourself from having 3 baseballs of rice is the real challenge, but starting to practice portion awareness will help to build your capacity for Intentional Living with regard to your eating habits

Bon Appetit!