Think Before You Eat.

Recently I was at Five Guys Burgers and Fries and I caught myself eating. Sorry, overeating. Overeating is a main contribution to the obesity epidemic in the U.S. What happens with portion-control when you go out to eat you may ask. Almost ALL restaurants give you double or triple the normal portion size. Therefore, YOU are the key to your weight's destiny. A good rule of thumb is meat, pasta and carbohydrates can be measures as one portion size when compared to the size of your closed fist. Another visual to compare your food is a deck of playing cards, that roughly equals one serving size (all that you should be consuming at dinner of red meat or carbohydrates).

A recent study proved that when you overeat you spend more money on all fronts including fuel cost, food maintenance cost and health insurance costs! Now, what can you do to prevent this unconscious eating habit?

1. Ask for a box before you start eating in order to divide up the portions for yourself. You will have a second meal for later and save money in the long run!

2. Ask for NO bread at the table. Don't even let your server put the basket on your table, once it hits your table you're pretty much done.

3. Get water instead of any other drink. Consuming one glass of cold water before your meal helps to supress your appetite and will aid in the disgestion process. Again, you'll save that $2-5 on a drink which you're checking account will thank you later.

4. Avoid the white, cream sauces. These are the worst. These sauces are made with heavy cream which are packed with calories. Who can resist the chicken alfredo from Olive Garden or the Lobster Ravioli with cream sauce? YOU CAN. The substitute would be red sauce.

REMEMBER: Pasta is an easy dish to overeat, so aim for a veggie-included dish.

5. Eat with your non-dominant hand. For example, if you're right handed, try your left hand with a fork and vice versa. In this case, the uncoordination is a good thing! Using your opposite hand you are likely to pick up less food and consume your food slower. This will help your mind catch up with your stomach and realize when you are full.