By Barbara Zimmer, LCSW, Former EAP counselor at Middlesex Hospital

Be Portion Conscious
We’ve probably all heard about the “French paradox”. They dine on fat laden croissants, cheeses, pastries, and sauces, yet on the whole as a population, remain slender. It is documented that only 7% of French adults are obese. When researchers and weight loss experts looked at this more closely, several differences were found. Their main, and biggest meal happens midday, when we in America would be eating lunch. Meals become smaller as the day progresses. When French women were interviewed some years ago by a magazine about their eating patterns, they were appalled to think of eating snacks such as candy bars or other junk foods between meals. But the most important difference seems to be that portion sizes served in French restaurants are 25% smaller than ours. The McDonald’s in Paris serves hamburgers, fries, and other food offerings that are 25% smaller than the same product in America.


Has anyone else noticed that the size of muffins and bagels has doubled over the past 20 or so years? If we like the food, we tend to consume that which is placed in front of us even if we’ve already reached our satiation point. So pay attention to portions. At restaurants eat half and take the rest home. Some sources recommend getting a take-out box and immediately putting half of your dinner away before you even begin to eat. Serve yourself smaller portions on salad size plates to give the appearance a plate-full of food. Eliminate snacking between meals, or if you must snack, make healthy choices. Develop an eating plan that meets your needs, and works for you. Make adjustments as you need to. But remember, changing your eating habits requires commitment. Losing weight won’t happen just because you want to lose weight. You have to take action, and you need to make changes in your eating patterns and activity level, as well as your relationship with food. More on that next week.

If you would like to talk about this or any other problem or concern, please call Solutions Employee
Assistance Program at 1-800-526-3485 or www.solutions-eap.com

George "Bud" Wassell, M.S., LPC, CEAP
Director, Solutions EAP
213 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
800-526-3485
fax: 860-704-6221
http://www.solutions-eap.com