Shatter that Platter!

I used to get so annoyed when I'd watch the Food Network and see restaurant chefs serve scant meals leaving tons of "wasted space" on the plate. I like my plates piled high with food so I know I'm getting my money's worth!



But when I recently ran across WebMD's Portion Size Guide, I was reminded that a piled high plate isn't figure friendly (nor health friendly)! It's always astounding to see how little food we really should be eating compared to what actually goes in our mouth. After I read over the portion sizes, I realized the chefs were doing their customers a favor by not serving them the whole kitchen on a plate!

I'll be the first to admit that I can down a platter at one of my favorite restaurants. Yes, I said platter, not plate. Isn't it rather ridiculous that our meals can be served on PLATTERS??? And isn't it even more ridiculous that I can actually finish one? Seriously, that's a lot of food! I'm always sicker than a dog after I'm through eating, and that just shouldn't be the case! Eat to live, Kari, don't live to eat!


Anyhoo, I printed off a Portion Size Guide and hung it on our fridge as a reminder when I serve dinner in the future. I'm bad..er, I guess really good, at serving too much food!

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So, I'm turning over a new leaf. I've been trying to get back to living a healthier lifestyle, and cutting my portions back is one way I can do that.

If, in the future, I do go to a platter-not-plate-serving restaurant, I'll need to keep in mind a couple of tips so that I don't overeat and end up sick! Here they are:

Eat slooooowwwlyyy....
I'm terrible about eating ridiculously fast. It's such a bad habit. My meal is over before I realize what I just inhaled ate. Eating slowly will make mealtime more pleasant, and will also allow you to realize you're full before you've eaten too much.

Chew, chew chew!
The more you chew your food, the more digestive enzymes you release which in turn helps your body digest the food properly. Also, it allows you to savor the food before you!

It's no fun sitting at the table watching others finish their meal while you sit there with an empty plate feeling like a gluttonous pig! Believe me...I know.

Lastly, here's a quote I find helpful during those emotional eating moments:

If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution.
– Anon

Here's to our health!