Are you eating TWICE the food you really need? Find out here

[Doug Varrieur]

Are you familiar with my 15 minute rule? Today when you make a plate, make it your normal portion size. Now take a second plate and divide it in half. Eat the first smaller plate then wait 15 minutes...yes, you can hold out.  See how you feel 15 minutes later. If you're still hungry eat a bit more then wait....do this until you feel "physically" satisfied. Mental satisfaction is something entirely different. It can raise havoc with your eating plan. "Boy that looks good I want to eat it" is not the same as physically needing fuel for the machine.

Interestingly enough when I find my portion sizes growing I go through the same process. I ALWAYS find myself NOT touching the second plate. After 15 minutes I analyze how I feel and in 100% of the cases I've eaten enough food. Give it a try and you may find you're eating TWICE the food you need. 

[shawn116]

Good idea Doug!!  Thanks for the reminder 

[Doug Varrieur]

All of us eat way to much food. Wolves only eat once a week, sometimes 10 days. They travel long distances, burn fuel to stay warm and live in the harshest of elements but they only "Need" food weekly. I had a nice visit with an old Indian last year who is licensed to raise gray wolves. He has a large piece of acreage in the mountains all fenced in and keeps the packs completely wild within the confines of the range. His observations have been priceless. I asked him if the wolves would eat more food if they had it available to them more often....his answer was the food is there all the time if they want it.

I'm not suggesting we should only eat once per week but we really need to zero in on why we eat too much food and address it within our own lifestyle. 

[getskinny]

Thanks Doug
I am giving your 15 minute rule a try- starting today. I know my eyes are bigger then my stomach.

[Doug Varrieur]

I look forward to your result, I'll bet you find yourself satisfied with a half plate after 15 minutes wait time. It takes protein a bit longer to register "FULL" in the brain. 

[ladyluck]

This is what I needed to hear, I could find myself this week eating more,  so  I started to cut back and feel so much better I hope I'm down this week.If I'm not I'll just keep cutting back.

[suzlyn454]

Wow, thanks again Doug!  Last week I read the FTS book again to up my game but somehow I STILL missed this.  I had gone from the 10" plate to the 8" plates early on but now I will look at my portions again.  I bet my problem is portion control with meat.  Anything in excess is "excess".  I still using measuring cups and spoons for a lot of my FTS food prep.  After reading this wonderful idea I think the "eyeball" portions on some of my foods have put me over the limit.  Time to go back to the scales (food scales LOL) and make sure I get back on track.  Will be putting this suggestion to use this week.   Hooray for this forum and all the great folks!
Suz
 

[umpa]

I am guilty of not doing this.I wait to long to eat so by the time I eat i am starving and grumpy

[suzlyn454]

Umpa, I really don't believe you would be a grumpy person..you and Doug seem to have such a handle on things!!  But then again, I did read what Doug wrote about the Sam-E  been there done that; glad I'm done with it moods are back to norm again LOL and is my hubs sooooo happy.

[umpa]

I just forget to eat sometimes because I am so busy.The Sam -E has been a savior when it comes to menopause.A grumpy umpa is a bad thing!!

[Andrea]

My skinny husband has been concerned that I'm not eating enough but he's getting used to my much smaller portions.  His parents were young adults during the Depression and lots of food on the table was a symbol of their success.  I was the oldest of 8 children and we ate as fast as we could to make sure we got enough, competing for food.  These are all hard legacies to leave behind.

Thanks for the reminder, Doug.

[umpa]

tell him he will know if you are not eating enough,you will be cranky!

[Andrea]

When I get cranky, he suggests I quilt.  That seems to calm me down. 

Smart man.

[umpa]

Yep! Doug puts a cookie in my mouth

[mouseissue]

Yep! Doug puts a cookie in my mouth