Q: I'm trying to eat smaller portions of food to lose weight, but it's hard when I'm eating out in a restaurant, especially a buffet line. Do you have some suggestions on how to keep portions to a minimum?
A: Eating smaller portions of food is one of the easiest ways to cut back on calories. But you need to become familiar with the "look" of a serving of food from the buffet line. For instance, a healthy portion of meat -- 3 to 4 ounces -- looks about the same size as a deck of cards, while one cup of potatoes, rice or pasta is about the size of a tennis ball. You also can control your portions by ordering a healthy appetizer, such as tuna or chicken salad, as your main meal. Better yet, ask for a doggy bag as soon as your plate arrives and box up at least half of your meal to take home.
-- Maryann Davidson, registered dietitian, Erlanger hospital
Readers: To submit a question for a professional dietitian, e-mail it to Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com. See this space each week for answers.
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