Divide, Contain, Conquer Food Portions
Plastic containers can be an overeater’s best friend. Because they come in a variety of sizes and are portable and microwaveable, they’re great for grab-and-go meals. Take your lunch to work instead of going to the nearby Mexican restaurant. Pack one with healthy munchies for a road trip. Use them to create single-serving meals when freezing big batches of food.
“It’s simplified portion control that forces you to be aware of how much you’re consuming,” says Dave Grotto, a registered dietitian from Chicago. Once you’ve trained your eye to spot a proper portion size, you’ll be able to control portions without the aid of a container.
Here’s how to make containers work for you:
1-oz. container = single servings of dressing, a condiment or nuts
2-oz. container = one serving of snacks, like granola or trail mix
1/2-cup container = one serving of fruits, vegetables or side dishes
1-cup container = one serving of pastas, cereals, meats or fish
2-cup container = single servings of soups and salads
3-cup square container = single sandwich
