Lose weight without counting calories when you try these inventive new uses for everyday objects
By: Emily G. W. Chau
Measuring your foods is the most accurate way to control portions, but you don't need to start toting around a Pyrex in order to lose weight. Instead, try using everyday objects, such as your iPod, a quarter, and a shot glass, to reprogram your understanding of serving sizes and control calories. These innovative portion equivalents from Lisa Young, PhD, RD, adjunct professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University and author of The Portion Teller, and Toby Smithson, RD, American Dietetic Association spokesperson, will change the way you see food to make eating right a cinch.
Video: Prepare Healthy Meals
Pasta doubles in size when cooked, so it’s easy to measure out more than you need. Hold a bunch of dry spaghetti in your hand. A single serving of dry long noodles should about ¾” to 1” in diameter (2 cups cooked).
Calories: 420
An ice cream scoop is a handy way to measure a half-cup of beans or pasta.
Calorie: 110 to 130
Keep your hamburger patties around 3 inches in diameter to avoid supersizing your dinner.
Calories: 210
While it’s a good source of protein, cheese also tends to be high in fat, so keep your portions limited to the size of two finger-sized slices.
Calories: 170-235
One computer mouse-sized potato counts as two servings of grain.
Calories: 100
Don’t have a deck of cards handy? Use an iPod Touch or Blackberry Curve to gauge a serving of lean meat instead.
Calories: 265
A serving of fish should be about the size of a checkbook, or the length of your hand from palm to tip.
Calories: 130
Make your own 100-calorie pack: A sandwich-size Ziploc bag holds almost exactly 3 cups of popcorn.
Calories: 90
Dousing your salad in dressing is one of the fastest ways to pile on the calories. Instead of squeezing straight from the bottle, serve a shot of dressing on the side.
Calories: 85-145
Baby food jars aren’t just useful for storing office supplies and making arts and crafts. A jar is also a good measure for a serving of cereal or oatmeal.
Calories: 50
Refill your Altoids tin with a handful of almonds for a take-anywhere snack. Each canister holds about 1/3 cup.
Calories: 270
The next time you’re at dim sum, portion your rice in a teacup before serving yourself.
Calories: 100
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