How To Plate Your Food For Optimal Health and Weight

How you plate your food may be the additional step you need to optimize your health and weight. Learning proper food portions can take your health and weight to the next step. Focusing on non-starchy vegetables and starchy vegetables is the key to successful meal habits.

Using the 50/50 rule is one of the best practices to help with getting proper nutrition, fiber and macronutrients. Dividing your plate in half with non-starchy vegetables and half with starchy vegetables will set you up for success whether your needing to gain or lose weight. With this method your body will get the right amount of nutrition and fiber, in addition, to proper calories for your body’s own ideal weight.

If your needing to lose weight, this method helps to cut calories as filling up on non-starchy vegetables helps fill you up with low calorie foods. You should always eat the non-starchy vegetables first, then starchy vegetables last. You can eat an abundance of low calorie foods without weight gain. These non-starchy vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber that give your body the essential nutrients it needs and the bulk to feel full.

If you’re under weight this method is also optimal to gain weight. The body requires a sufficient amount of calories for basic body functions. Eating sufficient calories from starchy vegetables will support the body’s need for adequate calories. The body needs both micronutrients and macronutrients. Giving the body a combination of these will nourish and fuel the body.

If you are still hungry after eating your first plate of food, do not restrict yourself. That is a signal your body needs more nourishment. You can get a second plate and continue to eat until you are satisfied. Just continue the method of 50/50 for each plate of food you get. Eat your non-starchy vegetables first, then your starchy vegetables last. It’s hard to over eat fiber. You will feel full. Another trick would be start your meals off with a salad. Salads are high in fiber and nutrition that can help fill your stomach up before your plate. Just be mindful to use no oil or low-fat dressing if needing to lose weight.

People tend to over eat when they are eating processed foods that have no fiber and nutrition. If your are eating vegetables, potatoes and healthy unrefined grains and legumes, you will feel satisfied and full.

The nice thing about a plant focused diet is you can eat more volume of food because it is lower in calories. It is not recommended to add a bunch of oil or sugar because these are empty calories that will add calories to your meal but will not fill you up and leave you more hungry. So flavor your food sparingly using more herbs and natural salt which has no calories.

Once you get the hang of this method of eating you will see your body start to balance out whether you need to gain or lose weight. You will have more energy and sleep better. Over time, it will be second nature to fuel your body with nutritious food and you will enjoy the power of these healing foods.