Currently close to $15/kilo, I considered cutting bananas out of the budget, but first, I decided to do a little research to help me decide if they are a luxury or a necessity.
After reading that bananas are a fruit, but really a berry, but technically a herb, and related to orchids, I came across endless information on just how rich in nutrients these suckers are and how many benefits they can have on your health and wellness.
Bananas are high in Potassium which is imperative to heart function as well as muscle contraction (both skeletal and smooth muscle, so aside from assisting with your squats, they are assisting with your digestion). Potassium also plays a significant role in prevention of high blood pressure, even if you are not watching your sodium intake. One study has shown that the risk of stroke can be reduced by up to 40% if you include bananas as part of your regular diet.
Bananas contain B vitamins including far higher levels of B6 than most other fruits. The benefits of B vitamins range from aiding energy levels by helping the body use it's fuel sources, keeping depression at bay, regulating blood glucose levels, and along with potassium and magnesium, they can help the body recover from nicotine withdrawal if you are quitting smoking.
They contain the aminoacid Tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin which is a natural 'feel good' chemical.
Research printed in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that women eating bananas 4-6 times per week can reduce their risk of cancer of the kidney by 50% compared to those who do not eat them.
And, they're high in fibre, which of course keeps you 'regular' but also helps you feel more satisfied when you eat them, so even though they are higher in calories than other fruits, you are likely to eat less.
Aside from anything else, they are just so convenient, and frankly, my fruit bowl doesn't look right without them, so I have decided they are a necessity and I'm sure I can find a few other luxury items that I can cut out of my weekly grocery shop so I can keep bananas in!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Let your Inspiration be your Motivation
We're forever talking about 'Motivation' - "I need to get motivated", "I can't get motivated", "I'm feeling really motivated" and so on. But what lies behind said 'Motivation'? What is it that drives us to feel motivated or what is missing when we're not motivated?
Could it be 'Inspiration'? Inspiration is the key to your motivation! We all have things we know we 'should' do, and everyone is hard on themselves when motivation or will power is lacking. Inspiration is a somewhat romantic notion that puts a smile on your face, gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, or puts that fire in your belly that flows on to give you the motivation to do what you need to do.
So for me, the order is this: INSPIRATION the bigger picture - why you want what you want. GOALS (lets not forget about the nuts and bolts that join the other two together) the milestones you need to reach, big or small, to get you to the bigger picture. MOTIVATION the desire to complete the task at hand.
So find your inspiration and you'll find your motivation. Whether you're inspired to win a competition; feel super fit and healthy; look great, set an example for your children; start your own business; do something special for charity, remind yourself of your inspiration daily - stick it on the fridge, set a reminder on your phone, put a photo on your desk - whatever you need. It's the key to getting you motivated and feeling good about yourself!
Could it be 'Inspiration'? Inspiration is the key to your motivation! We all have things we know we 'should' do, and everyone is hard on themselves when motivation or will power is lacking. Inspiration is a somewhat romantic notion that puts a smile on your face, gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, or puts that fire in your belly that flows on to give you the motivation to do what you need to do.
So for me, the order is this: INSPIRATION the bigger picture - why you want what you want. GOALS (lets not forget about the nuts and bolts that join the other two together) the milestones you need to reach, big or small, to get you to the bigger picture. MOTIVATION the desire to complete the task at hand.
So find your inspiration and you'll find your motivation. Whether you're inspired to win a competition; feel super fit and healthy; look great, set an example for your children; start your own business; do something special for charity, remind yourself of your inspiration daily - stick it on the fridge, set a reminder on your phone, put a photo on your desk - whatever you need. It's the key to getting you motivated and feeling good about yourself!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Brrrrrr... it's cold.....and man I'm hungry!
Is anybody else reeeaaaalllly hungry these days? I mean reeeaaaallllly hungry? I am thinking about food more that ever this winter, and while we've had a few absolutely cracking sunny days in Sydney, we've also had some extremely cold days too.
So what's the reason behind all the extra eating we tend to do over winter? Everyone has their favourite 'comfort foods' but why do we love them so much? The obvious is we want hot food to help kep us warm. We also burn more calories trying to keep warm which may trigger the need for more food to stoke the fire - this makes most sense for me, I am one of those people that really feels the cold.
As well as this, we are less likely to have the obvious thirst to quench that we have in summer, which means we are probably drinking less water - and it is very common for the body to confuse thirst with hunger. And finallly there is some discussion of our decreased time outdoors leading to a lack of vitamin D, which in some people can increase the likelyhood of depression, or sadness which can fuel the need for comfort eating.
So a multitude of potential reasons for being extra hungry over the winter months requires a multitude of actions we can take to control it better.
1. Get out there and exercise! You will get warm (therefore requiring less hot food to warm you up), and feel better physically, emotionally and mentally = no brainer!
2. Keep up your water intake. And try drinking warm water - that way you're killing two birds with one stone, warming up your insides and keeping hydrated.
3. Be prepared. Have plenty of healthy food organised so that when you do feel hungry, you're not rushing out for snacks that are not so good for you. And you may also choose to eat smaller meals in higher frequency - this is working best for me!
4. Keep a food diary (yes, this includes weekends!), just to make sure you are really aware of how much you're eating and drinking, this will help you work out where to make adjustments when neccessary.
Enjoy your comfort foods but be good to your body at the same time, you still need to look after yourself in winter!
So what's the reason behind all the extra eating we tend to do over winter? Everyone has their favourite 'comfort foods' but why do we love them so much? The obvious is we want hot food to help kep us warm. We also burn more calories trying to keep warm which may trigger the need for more food to stoke the fire - this makes most sense for me, I am one of those people that really feels the cold.
As well as this, we are less likely to have the obvious thirst to quench that we have in summer, which means we are probably drinking less water - and it is very common for the body to confuse thirst with hunger. And finallly there is some discussion of our decreased time outdoors leading to a lack of vitamin D, which in some people can increase the likelyhood of depression, or sadness which can fuel the need for comfort eating.
So a multitude of potential reasons for being extra hungry over the winter months requires a multitude of actions we can take to control it better.
1. Get out there and exercise! You will get warm (therefore requiring less hot food to warm you up), and feel better physically, emotionally and mentally = no brainer!
2. Keep up your water intake. And try drinking warm water - that way you're killing two birds with one stone, warming up your insides and keeping hydrated.
3. Be prepared. Have plenty of healthy food organised so that when you do feel hungry, you're not rushing out for snacks that are not so good for you. And you may also choose to eat smaller meals in higher frequency - this is working best for me!
4. Keep a food diary (yes, this includes weekends!), just to make sure you are really aware of how much you're eating and drinking, this will help you work out where to make adjustments when neccessary.
Enjoy your comfort foods but be good to your body at the same time, you still need to look after yourself in winter!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Alcohol and Weightloss
How can alcohol intake inhibit weight loss when it contains no fat? First of all overall calorie intake is a very important consideration for weight loss – alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. A glass of Red or White wine contains around 100 calories, Champagne around 130 calories, Regular Beer 140 calories, Gin & Tonic 175 calories and Whiskey Sour around 200 calories, and a Long Island Ice Tea 400 calories!!
Aside from the fact that alcohol adds to your overall calorie intake, how else does it affect your ability to lose weight? The human body uses different sources of energy depending on what is available. This energy comes from Alcohol (acetate), Carbohydrate (glucose), Fat, Protein – and in that order. When alcohol is consumed, the liver converts it into Acetate, which is then released into the blood stream and then tops the list of energy sources your body is drawing from. Therefore, while your body is busy burning alcohol, it is NOT burning carbohydrates or fat which results in storage of this energy, hence the extra weight. Alcohol intake also increases your appetite, and can lead to consuming more food which can equal more calories.
Of course there are other negative effects that go along with alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diuretic, this means that it causes water loss and dehydration and along with this, loss of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc which are responsible for fluid balance, chemical reactions and muscle contraction and relaxation. Good quality sleep is harder to achieve after a few drinks – while alcohol can help induce sleep, it is not a very deep sleep and lack of restful sleep has it’s own set of health issues.
So, how do we manage alcohol intake? Well, for some, it can mean cutting it out altogether, but mostly, cutting down will be helpful! If you drink to relax – I do find a nice glass of red very relaxing – then try some other methods of relaxation such as going for a walk (always works for me), reading or listening to music – or, just make sure you keep it to ONE glass! Aim for a minimum of 3 alcohol free days/nights per week and on the days you allow alcohol, keep it to a minimum AND include extra exercise to account for the extra calories you are consuming (remember, energy in vs energy out).
Aside from the fact that alcohol adds to your overall calorie intake, how else does it affect your ability to lose weight? The human body uses different sources of energy depending on what is available. This energy comes from Alcohol (acetate), Carbohydrate (glucose), Fat, Protein – and in that order. When alcohol is consumed, the liver converts it into Acetate, which is then released into the blood stream and then tops the list of energy sources your body is drawing from. Therefore, while your body is busy burning alcohol, it is NOT burning carbohydrates or fat which results in storage of this energy, hence the extra weight. Alcohol intake also increases your appetite, and can lead to consuming more food which can equal more calories.
Of course there are other negative effects that go along with alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diuretic, this means that it causes water loss and dehydration and along with this, loss of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc which are responsible for fluid balance, chemical reactions and muscle contraction and relaxation. Good quality sleep is harder to achieve after a few drinks – while alcohol can help induce sleep, it is not a very deep sleep and lack of restful sleep has it’s own set of health issues.
So, how do we manage alcohol intake? Well, for some, it can mean cutting it out altogether, but mostly, cutting down will be helpful! If you drink to relax – I do find a nice glass of red very relaxing – then try some other methods of relaxation such as going for a walk (always works for me), reading or listening to music – or, just make sure you keep it to ONE glass! Aim for a minimum of 3 alcohol free days/nights per week and on the days you allow alcohol, keep it to a minimum AND include extra exercise to account for the extra calories you are consuming (remember, energy in vs energy out).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Pole Dancing for Fun and Fitness!
Pole Dancing has well and truly hit the fitness scene, and though it's already been here for a while, it certainly hasn't hit it's peak with more and more studios opening up in Sydney and indeed worldwide.
I have been involved in the craze for the last four years, as a student and a teacher and am thrilled to watch this sport grow and grow in popularity. And yes, it is a sport, with National and World Championships to prove it!
Having said that, for most of us, we are there for fun and fitness rather than the hope of becoming a World Champion! So what exactly is it that makes this form of exercise so popular? I guess it begins with the lure of wanting to try something you have never done before. Once you have started, your progress is easily measurable. Each lesson you're learning new moves and tricks, all the while developing your strength and fleixibility. At Bobbi's Pole Studio, each class works on a routine that they can perform at the end of term, which is where you realise, just 8 weeks ago, you weren't able to do anything at all, now you can do a whole routine complete with pole tricks! And then you're ready to start going upside down! Most people are hooked by this point...
Of course, everyone will develop and progress at a different pace, and that is fine, the point is, everyone is getting somewhere.
Then there is the body image side of things. With pole dancing, lots of moves, particularly as you're becoming more advanced, require bare skin to grip onto the pole. This is why you might notice that women who are performing or participating in pole dancing lessons can be scantily clad! In my experience, the beginners group start in shorts and t-shirts and are as covered as they possibly can be - and then they move on to Intermediate 1 and it's amazing that first week of the new class, how much the amount or size of the clothing can reduce! And this is twofold I would suggest, in that a) the ladies have accepted that in order to progress, they need to bare more skin for better grip and a well and truly prepared to do that, and b) everyone is feeling much more comfortable after 8 weeks of being in a studio with women of all ages, shapes and sizes cutting around in not much more that their underwear - and that's awesome! That's not to say that nobody feels self conscious, or doesn't compare themselves to others - as women, we're almost always wanting to have something we don't, and worrying about what we do have etc. (thats a topic for another post), but it's not enough to stop you from shedding a few layers of clothing and that rocks!
So, we're looking at increased strength, flexibility, grace and poise, and confidence, and there are the phisical changes too - there are plenty of toned abs and arms walking around that pole studio, which often coincides with the further advanced levels (but you don't have to be super advance to achieve this at all).
My experience is only at Bobbi's Pole Studio, but there are many other studios out there now, each with their own approach to Pole Dancing which is fantastic. You might like a more sensual side to it, or you might prefer a more contemporary dance style, or just plain fitness, or a combination of everything. And that is the true beauty of Pole Dancing - it really is open to interpretation, even within the one studio. You can find your own style, bring it out, and enjoy it, while getting all the other benefits at the same time.
Of course, I'm a big fan of traditional gym based training, but if you're looking to give something extra a try, checkout http://www.bobbispolestudio.com.au/ they have classes at Miranda and in the City (Sydney). Bobbis Pole studio also operates in Peth, Singapore and Malaysia.
I have been involved in the craze for the last four years, as a student and a teacher and am thrilled to watch this sport grow and grow in popularity. And yes, it is a sport, with National and World Championships to prove it!
Having said that, for most of us, we are there for fun and fitness rather than the hope of becoming a World Champion! So what exactly is it that makes this form of exercise so popular? I guess it begins with the lure of wanting to try something you have never done before. Once you have started, your progress is easily measurable. Each lesson you're learning new moves and tricks, all the while developing your strength and fleixibility. At Bobbi's Pole Studio, each class works on a routine that they can perform at the end of term, which is where you realise, just 8 weeks ago, you weren't able to do anything at all, now you can do a whole routine complete with pole tricks! And then you're ready to start going upside down! Most people are hooked by this point...
Of course, everyone will develop and progress at a different pace, and that is fine, the point is, everyone is getting somewhere.
Then there is the body image side of things. With pole dancing, lots of moves, particularly as you're becoming more advanced, require bare skin to grip onto the pole. This is why you might notice that women who are performing or participating in pole dancing lessons can be scantily clad! In my experience, the beginners group start in shorts and t-shirts and are as covered as they possibly can be - and then they move on to Intermediate 1 and it's amazing that first week of the new class, how much the amount or size of the clothing can reduce! And this is twofold I would suggest, in that a) the ladies have accepted that in order to progress, they need to bare more skin for better grip and a well and truly prepared to do that, and b) everyone is feeling much more comfortable after 8 weeks of being in a studio with women of all ages, shapes and sizes cutting around in not much more that their underwear - and that's awesome! That's not to say that nobody feels self conscious, or doesn't compare themselves to others - as women, we're almost always wanting to have something we don't, and worrying about what we do have etc. (thats a topic for another post), but it's not enough to stop you from shedding a few layers of clothing and that rocks!
So, we're looking at increased strength, flexibility, grace and poise, and confidence, and there are the phisical changes too - there are plenty of toned abs and arms walking around that pole studio, which often coincides with the further advanced levels (but you don't have to be super advance to achieve this at all).
My experience is only at Bobbi's Pole Studio, but there are many other studios out there now, each with their own approach to Pole Dancing which is fantastic. You might like a more sensual side to it, or you might prefer a more contemporary dance style, or just plain fitness, or a combination of everything. And that is the true beauty of Pole Dancing - it really is open to interpretation, even within the one studio. You can find your own style, bring it out, and enjoy it, while getting all the other benefits at the same time.
Of course, I'm a big fan of traditional gym based training, but if you're looking to give something extra a try, checkout http://www.bobbispolestudio.com.au/ they have classes at Miranda and in the City (Sydney). Bobbis Pole studio also operates in Peth, Singapore and Malaysia.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
What's with all the Squats?
For those of you that train with me, you will be used to some form of squat exercise in most, if not all of your workouts. So why do we do them, and why all the focus on correct technique?
Firstly, for many of us, the glutes (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus - or the muscles that make up your backside) are underactive, fairly week muscles. This is a lifestyle issue - too much sitting, be it at your desk, or driving etc, has seen us switch off the glutes for the most part of the day. When it comes to tasks that require glute function, it is common for other muscle groups to kick in to compensate for weakness of those muscles.
Glutes are not the only muscle group recruited during a squat exercise, you will also use the front of the thighs - quads (though with good technique, the glutes should be doing more of the work), abdominals and core stabilisers in the back, hamstrings (back of thighs), calf muscles, and hip flexors.
With this amount of muscle recruitment for one exercise comes; greater calorie burning, increased heart rate, strength in the lower back and midsection, muscle gain (also important for continued burning of calories even at rest), increased flexibility of lower body (particulary with full range squats) and of course, toning of the butt and thigh muscles (woohoo!).
Poor execution of squats, espescially when weights are added, can cause upsests with the back and in particular, the knees if you allow it to be a quad dominated movement. Though, as mentioned above, good technique can strengthen the back and can also help prevent, improve, or eliminate problems with knee injuries.
Here is a little test for you, when you stand up out of your seat or off the lounge, are you using your arms to push you up, twisting and wriggling to stand up or leaning very far forward? If you are, it would suggest that your glutes aren't funcioning well. If you're not doing any of these things, and find that you stand up straight out of your chair, with both feet planted on the floor, and maybe even notice a little tension through your glutes - good for you! Your squats are really paying off!
So every time you perform squats, be it with me as I continue to repeat 'let your hips stick out behind you and push through your heels', or in a group fitness class, or in your own training time, just remember all the benefits this one exercise can have - and all the things that could go wrong if you're not doing them.
Firstly, for many of us, the glutes (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus - or the muscles that make up your backside) are underactive, fairly week muscles. This is a lifestyle issue - too much sitting, be it at your desk, or driving etc, has seen us switch off the glutes for the most part of the day. When it comes to tasks that require glute function, it is common for other muscle groups to kick in to compensate for weakness of those muscles.
Glutes are not the only muscle group recruited during a squat exercise, you will also use the front of the thighs - quads (though with good technique, the glutes should be doing more of the work), abdominals and core stabilisers in the back, hamstrings (back of thighs), calf muscles, and hip flexors.
With this amount of muscle recruitment for one exercise comes; greater calorie burning, increased heart rate, strength in the lower back and midsection, muscle gain (also important for continued burning of calories even at rest), increased flexibility of lower body (particulary with full range squats) and of course, toning of the butt and thigh muscles (woohoo!).
Poor execution of squats, espescially when weights are added, can cause upsests with the back and in particular, the knees if you allow it to be a quad dominated movement. Though, as mentioned above, good technique can strengthen the back and can also help prevent, improve, or eliminate problems with knee injuries.
Here is a little test for you, when you stand up out of your seat or off the lounge, are you using your arms to push you up, twisting and wriggling to stand up or leaning very far forward? If you are, it would suggest that your glutes aren't funcioning well. If you're not doing any of these things, and find that you stand up straight out of your chair, with both feet planted on the floor, and maybe even notice a little tension through your glutes - good for you! Your squats are really paying off!
So every time you perform squats, be it with me as I continue to repeat 'let your hips stick out behind you and push through your heels', or in a group fitness class, or in your own training time, just remember all the benefits this one exercise can have - and all the things that could go wrong if you're not doing them.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Portion Distortion
Is there a chance that 'Portion Distortion' is affecting you? I would bet for most people, the answer is yes!
Did you know that the average size of a dinner plate has increased by as much as 36% since the 1960's? And did you know that on average, we eat 92% of what is on our plates?
This may not be new information to any of you, but everytime I read these stats, I find them quite staggering! We have been overeating gradually over the years without realising!
Which leads to the question, have you heard the term 'Mindless Eating'? When you sit down to eat a meal, how focused are you on what you're eating and how much, while you are actually eating? It's pretty common to have distractions while you're consuming your meal - family conversation, television, people watching while eating out etc. How often do you notice that you're feeling satisfied before you reach the point of feeling full? There is also that old habit to 'eat everything that is on your plate' - I'm sure you're hearing the voices of your parents and grandparents when you read that.
Late last year I completed a 4 week eating program 'Matt O'Neill's Metabolic Jumpstart' which is a diet plan metabolically matched to you as per the Nutritionits at Smartshape (check it out at http://www.metabolicjumpstart.com/). Aside from teaching you how to mix and match nutrient rich wholefoods to keep you healthy, energetic and control your weight, MJ also helps to create awareness as to what triggers you to eat and also how hungry you really are when you eat and how full you are when you finish eating. Now, I don't have a weight problem and I do eat healthy, but one thing I did notice was that almost everytime I was eating a main meal, I was eating until I was full and beyond! I have since changed this habit and have found that I'm feeling satisfied and have plenty of energy and have a head start on how I should be eating when my metabolism slows down.
So, awareness is one aspect, but why not really make it simple and downsize your plate size? There is a group called 'The Small Plate Movement' that encourages people to change the plate size for one main meal a day from 12inches to 10inches and find out what a difference it can make to you! You don't necessarily need to go out there and buy a whole new dinner set (though would be a great excuse if you feel like a change), you could start with one smaller dinner plate or you could even try using your bread and butter plate to serve your meals on!
Have you ever been to a restaurant and scoffed at the tiny serving of your meal only to find that you're full when you've finished? There are two things here - the first is that if you put that 'tiny' serving on a smaller plate (lets face it, lots of restaurants serve their meals on gigantic plates) it probably won't look so tiny anymore (this is portion distortion), and secondly this really highlights that you don't need a huge amount of food to satisfy you.
So, I hereby challenge you to no longer be a victim of 'Portion Distortion' by decreasing the size of your plates! You could also arrange the food on your small plate as you're preparing dinner to avoid cooking too much and going for seconds as you don't want to waste your food.
And here's some food for thought to finish off -*'In one study, unsuspecting diners were served tomato soup in bowls that were being refilled from tubing that ran under the table, through the table, and into the bottom of the bowl. People eating soup from these "bottomless" bowls ate 73% more soup than those eating from normal bowls but they estimated that they ate only 4.8 calories more than the group who's bowls were not being refilled." *Information taken from article 'Portion Size Me: Downsizing our Consumption Norms' by Brian Wansik
So take action, it's not enough just to understand the concept without doing anyting about it. And I think you'll find it's a pretty painless experience which will have some great benefits!
Good Luck!
I would love to hear any other downsizing suggestions you have and also how it works out should you accept the challenge!
Did you know that the average size of a dinner plate has increased by as much as 36% since the 1960's? And did you know that on average, we eat 92% of what is on our plates?
This may not be new information to any of you, but everytime I read these stats, I find them quite staggering! We have been overeating gradually over the years without realising!
Which leads to the question, have you heard the term 'Mindless Eating'? When you sit down to eat a meal, how focused are you on what you're eating and how much, while you are actually eating? It's pretty common to have distractions while you're consuming your meal - family conversation, television, people watching while eating out etc. How often do you notice that you're feeling satisfied before you reach the point of feeling full? There is also that old habit to 'eat everything that is on your plate' - I'm sure you're hearing the voices of your parents and grandparents when you read that.
Late last year I completed a 4 week eating program 'Matt O'Neill's Metabolic Jumpstart' which is a diet plan metabolically matched to you as per the Nutritionits at Smartshape (check it out at http://www.metabolicjumpstart.com/). Aside from teaching you how to mix and match nutrient rich wholefoods to keep you healthy, energetic and control your weight, MJ also helps to create awareness as to what triggers you to eat and also how hungry you really are when you eat and how full you are when you finish eating. Now, I don't have a weight problem and I do eat healthy, but one thing I did notice was that almost everytime I was eating a main meal, I was eating until I was full and beyond! I have since changed this habit and have found that I'm feeling satisfied and have plenty of energy and have a head start on how I should be eating when my metabolism slows down.
So, awareness is one aspect, but why not really make it simple and downsize your plate size? There is a group called 'The Small Plate Movement' that encourages people to change the plate size for one main meal a day from 12inches to 10inches and find out what a difference it can make to you! You don't necessarily need to go out there and buy a whole new dinner set (though would be a great excuse if you feel like a change), you could start with one smaller dinner plate or you could even try using your bread and butter plate to serve your meals on!
Have you ever been to a restaurant and scoffed at the tiny serving of your meal only to find that you're full when you've finished? There are two things here - the first is that if you put that 'tiny' serving on a smaller plate (lets face it, lots of restaurants serve their meals on gigantic plates) it probably won't look so tiny anymore (this is portion distortion), and secondly this really highlights that you don't need a huge amount of food to satisfy you.
So, I hereby challenge you to no longer be a victim of 'Portion Distortion' by decreasing the size of your plates! You could also arrange the food on your small plate as you're preparing dinner to avoid cooking too much and going for seconds as you don't want to waste your food.
And here's some food for thought to finish off -*'In one study, unsuspecting diners were served tomato soup in bowls that were being refilled from tubing that ran under the table, through the table, and into the bottom of the bowl. People eating soup from these "bottomless" bowls ate 73% more soup than those eating from normal bowls but they estimated that they ate only 4.8 calories more than the group who's bowls were not being refilled." *Information taken from article 'Portion Size Me: Downsizing our Consumption Norms' by Brian Wansik
So take action, it's not enough just to understand the concept without doing anyting about it. And I think you'll find it's a pretty painless experience which will have some great benefits!
Good Luck!
I would love to hear any other downsizing suggestions you have and also how it works out should you accept the challenge!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)