Portion Control on the HCG Diet

Whether you want to lose weight or just maintain a healthy weight, eating proper portions of foods is as important as eating the right kind of foods on the HCG Diet. For you to exercise better portion control you need to know the difference first between a potion and a serving.

Portion versus serving

Serving sizes and portion is often being mistaken and used interchangeably but there is actually a difference between the two. A portion is an amount that you choose to eat for a meal or actually eating. Portion control is limiting what you eat, of you being aware of how much food you are eating and what calories are in that serving. You can control the portion of foods you select at home but not in restaurants and other food establishments. Portion control plays an important role in keeping a healthy BMI reading.

A food serving, on the other hand, is the amount of each food that you are supposed to eat during a meal. It helps you understand how much is recommended from each food group.  For example one slice of bread or a cup of milk (240 ml).

The importance of better portion control on the HCG Diet

Better portion control is simply controlling your intake of calories. It is the first step towards achieving your goal weight and the first step in successful portion control is learning the correct serving sizes.

• Promotes weight loss

Better portions control helps cut calories down and can shed unwanted pounds during the HCG Diet while larger portion can lead to increased calorie intake. So, be mindful of your portion sizes to lose the most amount of weight.

• Better digestions

Portion control promotes better digestive system function. So, it’s best not to overload with the foods you are eating. Better portion control can help end bloating and cramping after eating.

• Save money

You don’t have to buy as many groceries when you eat the recommended serving size and practice portion control.

• Balanced blood sugar level

Imbalance blood sugar level is often due to overeating, particularly sugary foods. When you overeat unhealthy foods, you overload your body with glucose which can make your body resistance to insulin.  One way to help you control your blood sugar level is to practice portion control.

• Improved satiety

Improve your satiety by eating slowly and better portion control. Eating too quickly can cause indigestion at the same time you are unable to pay attention to your hunger cues.

Portion sizes on the HCG Diet

• Protein portion-Protein portion should exactly be 100 grams or 3.5 ounces. It must be weight raw at all times using precise measuring devices like the kitchen scale. If you will buy proteins weighing 300 grams, just divide it into 3 equal servings. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, I suggest you buy one. You can also use other everyday objects to measure the right portion size. One meat serving is equal to the palm of your hand or a deck of card. 100 grams of fish is the size of a checkbook.

• Vegetable portion- The exact vegetable portion is 1 cup and 3 cups for spinach, beet greens, lettuce and chard. If you are not using a cup, just half fill your plate with leafy vegetables.

• Fruit portion- The correct portion for apple and orange is a single serving, ½ of grapefruit and a handful of strawberries.

Tips for better portion control

With a little practice, portion control is easy to do. Portion control can help you lose the maximum amount of weight during the HCG Diet and maintain proper weight even after dieting. Here are some tips to keep your portions a healthy size.

1. Know the calorie requirements during the HCG Diet

Knowing your caloric requirements is very essential because the HCG Diet is different from any other diets out there. Its protocol requires you to only 500 calories a day during the second phase with lots of food restriction.

2. Use food scale and portion control dishes

You do not need only a kitchen scale on the HCG Diet. You need portion control dishes too to help you aid in limiting your intake of foods. Through these, you can track down the right amount of food intake in each meal. You can measure your protein potions accurately and ensure that you have an equal portion for each food choices.

3. Track your progress

Being mindful with your portion keeps you on diet track. Track every single food you eat, Track your daily weigh-ins to help determine whether you are losing weight.

4. Drink a glass of water first before you eat

Filling your belly with water before food will naturally make you less likely to overeat.

5. Use smaller dishes

The use of smaller dishes can work wonders in reducing your portion size. Here you use smaller plates and bowls to trick your brain into thinking that you are eating more than you are.

6. Repack foods into single-serving portions

Take some time to repack foods into single-serving portion so you won’t have to eat more than what is required.

7. Stop eating when the portion is gone

Once you are done with your portion or when you are already full stop eating. Do not look for another portion on the table or you might end up overeating. If you still feel hungry, give yourself a little time to catch and feel full. Anyway, you won’t starve until your next meal.

8. Limit mealtime distractions

Mealtime distraction can cause to consume more calories. So, put away your smartphones or turn off your televisions. If you are in the office, avoid taking your lunch on your desk while your eyes are busy on the computer screen.

9. Wear fitting clothes

Fitting clothes can serve as a tool to prompt you to slow down your eating pace and assess how you feel during your meal. Sit back if you feel that your clothes are getting a bit snugger.

10. Avoid eating on takeaway containers or boxes

Using boxes and takeaway containers can make you realize the actual quantity inside. Instead of using boxes and plastic containers, portion out your food serving on a plate to make you feel satisfied after the first serve.