Why you should ignore standard portion sizes if you want to lose weight

Do you eat everything on your plate? Do you assume that because it’s a portion size, that it’s the right amount of food for you?

Well, unfortunately, the portion you’ve been served is highly unlikely to be the right amount of food for your body, right here, right now.

Why? Because a standard portion is a standard, generic portion, that is unlikely to be right for you. You’re unique, your body is unique and what you need today is very specific and dependent on a whole load of things.

There are many factors that determine the amount of food you need at any given time. There are many reasons why a standard portion isn;t the right amount of food for you, and as such, why you should ignore portion size. Here are my top 10.

1. Portion size doesn’t take into account how long it has been since you last ate.

2. Portion size doesn’t take into account what you last ate.

3. Portion size doesn’t take into account the speed at which your body metabolises the food you last ate.

4. Portion size doesn’t take into account the exercise you’ve done since you last ate. 

5. Portion size doesn’t take into account how well or fast your body will metabolise this food.

6. Portion size doesn’t take into account your body shape and height.

7. Portion size doesn’t take into account your general fitness levels. 

8. Portion size doesn’t take into account how tired you are or what time of day it is. 

9. Portion size doesn’t take into account your age.

10. Portion size doesn’t take into account your hormones.

Now, if you understand mindful eating, you’l understand why the amount of food depends on lots of factors, but sadly most people rely on a standard portion size to determine how much food they should eat.

Many people could be gaining weight simply by eating standard portions, because those portions aren’t right for their body.

So if you want to lose weight and are someone who eats whole portions as standard, think again about what your body really needs at the time of eating.  

To undo some of the brainwashing we all have about portions, take the Eatiful Go 7 day mindful eating course and learn to eat more eatifully, enjoying the right amount of food for your body.