Nuts to Portion Control

One of the biggest reasons for the obesity epidemic is simply that we eat more than we used to. Portion control is a key to lasting weight management. For example, experts have shown that eating from a 9 inch plate rather than a 12 inch plate leads to smaller portions and loss of weight. (Try it and let me know how it works for you!)

But when we snack, the 9 inch plate trick won't work.

Nuts like almonds and walnuts are very healthy foods- some nuts have even been called super-foods because they contain healthy, unsaturated, omega-3 fats.

But nuts are very calorie dense. While carbs and protein each contain 4 calories per gram, nuts which are mostly fat (and some protein) contain closer to 9 calories per gram.

Overdo it with a bag or can of nuts and you can easily chow down 500 calories before you know what hit you!

Fill a 9-inch plate with nuts and you are looking at thousands of crunchy calories. (Kids don't try this at home!)

I just found a great solution. The grocery store where I shop recently started stocking 100-calorie packs from Empire Nuts. They have assorted nuts and mixes all in convenient 100-calorie packs! (The cocoa covered almonds are out-of-this-world!) Your portion control is covered. No will-power required!