Portion Control: The Key to Diet Success

• Serve here, eat there. Keep food in the kitchen and off the dinning room table. If the food is on the table you're more likely to reach for a second serving.
• Buy prepackaged portions. Good things come in small packages. If you are going to eat bagged snacks (such as cookies or potato chips) try single serving bags. The 100-calorie packs are even better because you already know how many calories you're eating without doing the math.
• Use ramekins. These or measuring cups can help you serve moderate amounts of chips or desserts.
• Resign. Your membership from the Clean Plate Club, that is. Leave a little on your plate.
• Slow down with a sip. Take sips of water or other low-calorie beverages in between bites.

Portion Control When Eating Out

Need some foolproof stragtegies for eating out without overdoing it? Take our quiz! Plus, here are some more tips focusing on portion control:

1. Start out with a clear liquid low-calorie soup. This will help fill you up and keep you from overeating.
2. Ask for a to-go box and immediately put half of your meal in the box for later.
3. If you're ordering a sandwich, ask them to leave off the French fries or substitute the fries or chips with fruit or salad.
4. Leave off the sauces! Sauces will really jack up the calories of an otherwise low-calorie sandwich or salad.
5. There's no such thing as portion control at a buffet. What part of "All You Can Eat" even remotely sounds like moderation? Just skip the buffet. If you must attend one, use a salad plate. Try to fill it with healthy foods and vow to amp up your very next workout.
6. Avoid ordering food from a squawk box (drive-thru). Nothing good comes out of those little sliding windows. However, if you absolutely have no choice, keep the guidelines above in mind. Or print them out, stash them in your glove box, and refer to them in case of a junk food emergency.