Keep your portion size moderate

Something that's come up lately with a few of my acquaintances, has been the issue of portion size.  I've seen them move onto a *mostly* paleo/primal type of eating program, with some good results, however on more than one occasion I've noticed them seemingly negating some of those benefits by literally stuffing themselves with meat or fish or whatever, to the point where they can barely get up from the dinner table.  And this isn't a once-a-week thing either...it's something they do quite frequently throughout the week.

In my opinion, one of the issues out there in western countries, that heavily contributes to obesity and extra weight, is the ingrained notion that every meal needs to be a banquet.  Consequently, people develop a pattern of programming that requires them to stuff themselves before they feel satisfied with a meal.

Other countries I've visited throughout the world (although this is unfortunately changing), where the citizenry is generally much thinner, typically have much more modest portion sizes than the super-sized platters of food people in the US have become accustomed to eating.  They also generally eat much more slowly, and chew/taste their food with less of a sense of urgency.

Now granted, some of this has to do with cultural differences etc, however I think there are a lot of advantages to smaller portion sizes, eating more slowly, and focusing more on quality rather than quantity.

Also, I don't think it's good for the stomach as an organ to be stretched and stuffed to the brim every time one sits down at the meal table.

Anyway, just some random thoughts here on a rainy Friday in Southwest Florida.

Comments

[David]

I think another factor in other countries is that the food tastes better, which lets you actually enjoy, savor and feel satiated by it. France comes to mind.

[Yummy]

To me it is about balance. Sometimes I eat tiny portions like a bird (haha - that is what my coworkers always say to me at lunch), other times I am really hungry and want a big meal.
I guess it is also how our ancestors would have eaten in days of scarcity or plenty?

[Steve]

@David: Good point. Certainly anywhere there is access to fruits/vegetables produced outside of gigantor-agra-business-inc...

@Yumster: Very true also. I don't venture down into the "bird" category much myself, but do have a handful of nuts or a single banana as an entire meal at times.

[DaveDB]

Like Mr. Franklin said,"Eat not to dullness; drink not elevation."

I tried this http://www.warriordiet.com/ a while a go but it did not work for my body or life style.

Portion control is a base to build on. If you are more active for a few days, you can add a little extra if needed. If your activity slows (work or injury) cut back quickly. A surfer friend broke his ankle in the middle of the summer and quickly put himself on a weight watcher like portion control, did what yoga and stretching he could and lost 10 lbs during the 7 weeks he was in a cast. Now that is what Ben Franklin was talking about - a little self control.