Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Plate Makeover
Being smart about portions is not just a matter of calories. Changing the proportion of meat to vegetables on your plate also reduces your intake of sat fat and ups your consumption of healthy nutrients.We need to change from the traditional American plate (big hunk of meat, glob of potato and tiny dollop of vegetables ) to healthier portions.
Start by making more interesting and flavorful vegetable dishes ( not just microwaving some frozen peas) and heaping those on your plate first. You will have less room left for meat. Next, step up to preparing 2 vegetable dishes for every meal, varing in appearance and taste; whole grains can also help occupy this healthy two thirds of your reproportioned plate.
Another strategy is to rely more on one pot meals in which ingredients other than meat dominate. Over time, your "new American plate" will become the norm and you will start to wonder how you ever ate any other way.
Start by making more interesting and flavorful vegetable dishes ( not just microwaving some frozen peas) and heaping those on your plate first. You will have less room left for meat. Next, step up to preparing 2 vegetable dishes for every meal, varing in appearance and taste; whole grains can also help occupy this healthy two thirds of your reproportioned plate.
Another strategy is to rely more on one pot meals in which ingredients other than meat dominate. Over time, your "new American plate" will become the norm and you will start to wonder how you ever ate any other way.
