It’s hard to maintain our diets when food portions are becoming increasingly bigger as the years pass. A survey recently showed that food portions have grown considerably (about two to five times) since the last decade. With this growth, our waistlines have joined the race.

When McDonald’s first opened, its largest burger weighed about only 1.6 ounces. Now, its Big Mac weighs about 8 ounces. That’s more than five times the original weight.

Now, here are three simple ways to control your food portions:

1. Reduce your plate size. It doesn’t mean eat with kiddy plates, but at least be aware of putting food portions as big as a serving plate.
2. Divide your dishes into carbohydrates, proteins and vegetables or fruits. This will make you eat a healthy and balanced diet.
3. Use the Zimbabwe hand jive where it said that proteins should be the size of your palm, carbs the size of your fist and vegetables should be the size of your two outstretched hands.

These simple tips will not only help you contain the food you eat, but it will also provide for you a far healthier and balanced diet.