How portion control can flop
• Portion control relies on measuring and math, which is cumbersome, takes the joy out of eating and may even contribute to disordered eating patterns
• It encourages us to eat a consistent amount of food regardless of appetite, which naturally fluctuates day to day, based on activity level, hormone cycles and other factors
• Using a portion control approach, we grow disconnected from the messages our bodies and brains send about what we’re hungry for right now. The body is a dynamic system and demand for certain nutrients — protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber — naturally ebb and flow
• Portion control assumes the reason you’re overweight is that you eat too much. This applies to some people, but other factors are usually at play. The types of food you eat, sleep quality, stress levels, hormone imbalances, gut health issues, certain medications and other non-food factors can promote weight gain or make it challenging to lose weight
Now, here’s my caveat. Some of you may find that portion control works well for you and has for a long time. Great! I am not suggesting you stop. The bigger point is that we’re all different — and this one-size-fits-all approach is unsustainable for many people.
