DROPPING a plate size
could also help you drop a dress size, nutritionists
believe.
Plate, cup, glass and cutlery sizes have all grown
dramatically over the years as Irish obesity levels
soar. A cereal bowl circa 1980 is tiny compared to
what passes for a cereal bowl today. But dieticians
believe that eating your dinner from a plate two
inches smaller can help you lose over a stone in a
year.
The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI)
says reducing plate size would help towards an
overall healthy weight loss plan.
"People trying to lose weight would benefit from
using smaller plates and bowls to help reduce their
food portions and total energy intake. However the
change in delph ware size is only one in a series of
behaviour and dietary changes that would be needed
to promote weight loss," said INDI president,
Richelle Flanagan.
Government figures reveal that 61 per cent of Irish
adults and 22 per cent of 5-12 year old children are
overweight or obese.
Meanwhile, a Small Plate Movement underway in the US
urges people to avoid super-size dishware at home
and dining out.
The public health initiative found that switching
from a 12-inch to a 10-inch diameter plate for the
largest meal of the day can help an average size
adult lose as much as 18 pounds in a year.
“A person tends to over-serve onto larger plates,
and because people consume an average of 92 per cent
of what they serve themselves, larger plates lead to
larger food intake,” the movement states.
A study showing that American plate sizes have
jumped by a massive 22 per cent in the last hundred
years is borne out here too, says INDI.
Plate size may also have a co-relating effect on
childhood obesity levels with one study showing that
a group of children served themselves more food when
using adult-sized plates.
The INDI also urged drinkers to be aware of bigger
wine glasses and the corresponding calories.
“Awareness in the adult population of the calories
in alcohol intake would assist in weight reduction
with one standard drink (100mls) of alcohol the
equivalent of approximately 100kcal. That is 750kcal
in one bottle of wine which, with the larger sized
glasses in today's homes and restaurants, is often
easily consumed without an understanding of the
calories or health effects," said Ms Flanagan.
The INDI advises people to eat a varied, healthy
diet and take regular physical activity. |
