How much is too much?

One of the biggest problems experienced by my clients is portion control, or rather lack of it. Books and magazines are always telling us what we shouldn't be eating but they rarely tell us about the actual quantity we should be eating. To me, portion control is second nature because over the years I've worked out how to listen to my body so I can give it what it needs. However, for people who are managing their weight or for people who simply want to improve their lifestyle via their diet, all those conflicting media messages can be so confusing. Are you guilty of portion distortion? Well if you are then keep reading because I think I've found the perfect solution...


Recently, I've been on an Amazon shopping spree and bought all the books I've been meaning to get for weeks, if not months! I was was reading some of The Food Doctor books and found some great, easy to follow advice regarding portion control. Here's what Ian Marber has to say...

Breakfast
Breakfast should be a combination of 30% complex starches (eg.wholegrains or oats), 30% complex carbohydrates (e.g. fruit) and 40% protein.
If you hold out both palms and image 80%, that's the size your breakfast should be. It should make up about 20% of your daily intake of food.

Snacks
I have to admit I'm a real snackaholic and according to most nutritionists out there, they are a healthy addition to most diets. Snacks should be the size on one palm cupped so you see 80% of it and should be a combination of 40% protein and 60% fruit or vegetables. Each snack, ideally mid-morning and mid-afternoon, should be 10% of your total daily food intake.

Lunch
Lunch needs to be 2 full palmfuls consisting of 40% complex carbohydrates, 40% protein and 20% complex startch carbohydrates. This should be 30% of your daily intake.

Dinner
This needs to be the same size as your brreakfast at 80% of 2 palms. It should be about 30% of your daily intake and consist of 40% protein, 60% complex carbohydrates

It's pretty straightforward stuff isn't it? You don't need a fancy diet plate or celebrity endorsed food scales, you just need to adopt a bit of common sense.

I know this isn't easy for everyone, especially if you're super busy, so if you need a helping hand please drop me a line at info@charlottehunter.co.uk or 07770 736905 and I'd be happy to help.

I hope this helps you to combat your portion distortion

Love Charlotte x