Quick Portion Control Tip
Just wanted to quickly share something I noticed today. It’s a habit I’ve picked up. I was quite delighted about it. Typically when we notice habits they are ones we want to get rid of. When I realized I was doing this I thought “I need to share this idea.” I was hustling about my kitchen making breakfasts and packing lunches. As I packed the lunches I used my regular routine. Then I noticed it.
I was measuring out the snacks I packed for my son.
I was using one of my small bowls that I use for my protein portions. I have a lot of those close at hand in my cabinet. I use them all the time for measuring my foods. But wait… here I was using them to measure my son’s snack.
I try not to buy those individual sized snacks. Yes they are so easy. And they do control those of us who can’t stop at a controlled portion. Me, the frugal Fanny I am, I buy the big bad and make my own individual snack bags.
What struck me was that I was measuring out the portions.
Now I have strategies in place when I make my plate. Since I need to manage my portions I have special plates and bowls that I eat from. But here I was measuring out my son’s snacks.
Victory!!
My good habits have spread into my entire life.
This was a new bag of snacks and I took a handful of snack size bags like the one in the picture above and I filled them using the small bowl to measure until the big bag was empty. Now I have a weeks worth of crunchy snacks for Ryan. I give him at least one crunchy thing in his bag along with some protein, veggies and a piece of fruit.
I love these bowls and they have covers too so I use them for my lunches.
Do you have a cabinet full of small bowls?
I collect them. I bought some small square bowls at Crate & Barrel the other day. New bowls help me keep it fresh!
Ok yes I have a bowl issue!!!
I think I was most excited about my new habit because I realized how much thought I put into my son’s lunch. I feel very strongly about the foods I put into my body and my family too. It’s hard to feed kids. Keep them interested in healthy foods. But I’ve found if I give Ryan different things each day he eats a good lunch. There is always one crunchy item, and always a protein, fruit and veggie. I also put one of those Babybel cheeses in there. They are so portable!! I love them too.
It is critical that we feed our child ren good foods. AND teach them what good food is. Show them the ingredients in packaged foods. Encourage them to read the labels. Point out what is a real ingredient and what is a chemical.
Yes chemicals. Most packaged foods have chemicals of some sort in them. Don’t be fooled. If you can’t pronounce it it is probably a chemical. No one wants to put chemicals in their bodies. We work so hard to keep fit!
Our kids don’t grow up wanting sugared cereals and Doritos unless that is what we give them! Try to introduce healthy whole foods to your family. Cook your meals from fresh ingredients. You’ll be amazed at how your family table will become popular again.
I try to post my recipes on my Sassy Girl Kitchen site. Check it out. If you have a recipe you think you’d like to share let me know. I can put it up on the site for others to try.
Oh yeah we had a great chat today during the My Tiny Tank Support Group Conference Call. Do you need a support group? We are a group of weight loss surgery post ops that get together once a week to talk about things we are working on and help each other. Let me know if you’d like to join us. We are a very informal group that meets by phone.
Well that’s it. Have a great night.
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Comments (8)
Trish @I_am_Succeeding
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Great tips! I try doing this not just for me but the fam as well.
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Loni Garrison
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I’m so happy to hear that I do some of your tips also. I always buy larger packages and bag them into individual packages for my daughters lunch. Tracy thank you so much for all the information that you share.
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my tiny tank
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Hi Loni
It’s all the little things that we do which keep us on target. It’s the extra little strategies. Some of my friends chuckle at me. But I’m the one that’s not dieting every Monday morning.
It’s all about process and portion. Hmm that could be a blog post. Thanks for your comment.
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Erin
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Great idea! I’ve not yet had my surgery. January 14th, yay me!
Looking through your site for ideas is helping alot! Thankyou! 
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my tiny tank
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Erin. Let the count down begin!! Please go feel free to reach out to me of you have any questions. You can use the Ask Tiny Tank tab on my site. Or feel free to just reply to my email blog posts. I will see the email.
I’ll be thinking of you and hoping you will let me know how you are doing. Thanks for commenting.
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Erin
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Thanks Tracey!
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sonja
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Great idea! Healthy and saves some money vs buying smaller individual pkgs!
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my tiny tank
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Sonja I agree and I’m a frugal fanny so I love making my own.
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