Something about portion size…I don’t count calories, I don’t even use a scale or a measuring cup, but I do use 1 and 2 cup tupperwear containers and a small soup bowl for most of my meals, and that’s pretty much all I need to control my portion sizes. If I’m not feeling that hungry I’ll eat a little less, and if I’m really starving after a big workout, I might add more fat or protein to the mix. I have a running tab in my head of what I’ve been eating throughout the day, and not just in terms of fat/fiber/carbs/proteins, but also the colors and textures of my foods, and the sources of the macros….Variety is key to vibrant health and satiety, and I always strive to mix it up. If I find I’ve been repeating a favorite meal or protein source, (at the moment, I know I have to tone down on the paneer for example) I’ll consciously stop buying the ingredient in favor of another old favorite. Too much of a good thing is…too much! Today I went down to Nature’s Basket and bought some salmon filets, some ground lamb, and some great condiments for new recipes: harissa, coconut milk, sun-dried tomato pesto, capers and hot peppers…I whipped up some seared salmon in a little olive oil, and served that with some sprouted chick peas tossed with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and eggplant that I sauteed up earlier in spiced ghee, (clarified butter). The fat and richness of the seared eggplant blended into the other ingrediets so I didn’t feel the need to add any more fat. Besides, the salmon is a rich source of Omega 3s on its own! As my portions are fairly small, my overall fat stays low, probably around 30% of total calories…I added a touch of balsamic vinegar and salt, and a great new meal was served.
Here is a picture of my soup bowl that most of my meals are plated on. As you can see, it’s not all that much bigger than my ipod! I also have a small luncheon plate that I use in my photos, which is about the same circumference as this one…Small, nutrient-dense, well-rounded meals with lots of flavor are the key to my diet protocol, I eat e very few hours, and I don’t over-fill the gas tank. I do some basic carb cycling, but again, I don’t measure anything. I do look up the calorie density of some ingredients when I’m carb loading, but that’s about it. It’s as simple and as effective as that!
