My husband decided to try something new recently. I don’t think it was intended to be a New Years resolution but never the less he started eating for energy intake instead of taste at the beginning of January. My husband can eat ALOT! He can pack food away like it’s no body’s business and not seem to have it affect his weight. He decided that he was going to eat for energy instead of taste because he realized he was eating too much for no reason. He cut out grains entirely for 2 weeks…we are in the middle of the 2nd week. I have to say that I am proud of him for sticking to his goals so far. I will keep you posted on his progress.

His decision to eat for energy intake got me thinking, especially because I started my weight loss study this past Sunday, that most people have no idea what a proper serving size is and despite their best efforts still eat too much in a day. Energy intake means taking in calories. Calories provides your body with energy. 1 calorie is a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree at one atmosphere pressure.

All calories were not created equal and have different effects on your body, health, energy and weight. Overeating is the major culprit for weight gain and obesity. Even over eating “healthy” food can lead to weight gain since calories are energy and any amount of energy consumed without being used or burned get stored as fat. Portions sizes are KEY to ultimate health, weight loss, weight maintenance and being able to induldge without gaining weight.

You are not going to go through life without eating cake. The difference between those people who can maintain their weight and those who can’t is portion control. Those who can control their weight would take a small portion controlled piece of cake and ENJOY IT. Those who can’t control their weight make up an excuse, sabotage themselves and take a LARGE piece of cake, telling themselves they will start eating well again tomorrow. NOT THE RIGHT MINDSET!!

If you can change your mindset to eat for energy instead of taste or emotional comfort, food appeal and power will literally change for you. Eating for energy means that when you feel full you stop eating. Think about your body like a car. When your tank is full, you can’t put any more gas in, it will spill over. When your tank is empty your car won’t run. Your body is the same. When you choose the wrong type of gas or you are running on empty your body won’t run properly. Fill your tank up with the right type of gas without over filling it and your body will run smoothly!

I have attached a great visual for you to see portion sizes of a large variety of foods. You will have to scroll down a bit to get to it because the first part is about milk. PLEASE DON’T LOOK AT THE PORTIONS IN THE CANADA’S FOOD GUIDE…SCROLL TO THE PICTURES OF THE PORTIONS.

Challenge: Weigh yourself at the beginning of the week. Follow the portion sizes suggested in the attachment. Be aware of eating for energy instead of taste and then weigh yourself at the end of the week. Is there a difference?

http://www.albertamilk.com/nutritioneducation/_pdf/Visual%20Ways%20to%20Show%20Serving%20Sizes.pdf