Learning Better Portions with Optifast Medical Weight Loss Program

The OPTIFAST Medical Weight Loss Program is an effective way to learn better portion control while achieving sustainable weight loss. By replacing meals with specially designed OPTIFAST products, patients can gain control over their calorie intake and learn healthier portion sizes for long-term success. At The Institute for Weight Management & Wellness, Dr. Anjana Chhabra provides personalized guidance to help patients master portion control while following the OPTIFAST program. Contact us today or book an appointment online for personalized care that works for you. Conveniently located at 150 Overlook Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, we proudly serve clients from Ridgewood, Tenafly, Glen Rock, Paramus, Oradell, River Edge, Upper Saddle River, Wyckoff, and surrounding areas.

In recent years, portion sizes have exploded. We drink about 20 percent more soda today than we did 15 years ago. Soda consumption is heavier among children and adults than it has ever been before, and most people aren’t just sipping on fizz without something to accompany it. Portions of French fries are significantly larger now than they once were, and burgers, pizzas, and even chicken nuggets have kept in step with the rising sizes of portions.

In the 1930s, the U.S. government started alerting people to how many calories were in the items they were eating. One bowl of cereal, a pound of tomatoes, three large prunes, and a medium-sized potato—all of these were equal to 100 calories. The government wasn’t trying to limit its consumption by giving out these numbers. This was to encourage people to eat more, as the Great Depression impacted the diets of Americans from coast to coast.

Fast forward to 2013, and we have a much different problem on our hands. It is time to cut down on consumption and reduce calories from our diets. In addition to switching up the foods you are eating, you can reduce consumption by enforcing healthier portion sizes in your home.

Smaller Portions for Better Health

Most people think meal replacements like Optifast Weight Loss products will help them by eliminating junk food from their diet and controlling food options. While this is true, it is only part of the equation. Optifast Diet products can train you to eat smaller portion sizes. While following the Optifast weight loss program, you can adjust to eating smaller meals throughout the day and train yourself to recognize the early signs of fullness.

The Optifast weight loss program will give you a much-needed break from traditional foods so you can learn better eating habits that will help you keep your weight off long after your weight loss program comes to an end.

Here are a few visual cues to keep in mind as you load your plate:

• One serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards, which is about the size of your clenched fist.
• A bagel should be the size of a hockey puck.
• One pancake is the size of a DVD.
• One serving of rice should fit in a muffin or cupcake wrapper.
• One serving of cheese is equal to two dice, or the length of your thumb. This, of course, is easiest to use as a measurement for grated or cubed cheese.

As you follow the Medical Weight Loss Program, think closely about how much food you are eating at once and try to let that feel natural. Cutting portion sizes can help you to cut calories from your diet before you even start changing the items you are putting on your plate, making healthy portions a fundamental aspect of a weight loss diet.