Are You Plate Savvy?

   According to Webster's, one of the definitions of savvy is "practical know-how." This week at WW we discussed some ways to apply our practical know-how when we eat out.  Did you ever notice when your order comes, it is usually in a huge plate and your food is either heaped high and/or covers the entire plate?  How do you handle that?  Members discussed ways they exercised their plate savvy at restaurants.
    Some of the ways to stay on plan, even with restaurant portions, that were mention included:

• Ask for a to-go box to be brought when your order is brought out.  When you receive your order, immediately put half in the box to take home.
• Share an entree with a friend.
• Order double veggies.
• Ask the server to put half the meal in a to-go box and bring it with the check.
• Order a child's portion.
• Order an appetizer for your meal.
• Use basic estimates (3 ox. meat portion = palm; 1 cup = fist; check out "Estimating Portion Sizes with Everyday Objects.")
• Use the government's MyPlate guidelines...1/2 a plate of fruits & veggies (with a little more veggies than fruit in that.), 1/4 a plate of protein, and 1/4 a plate of grain (with at least half of the grains being whole grains).  Check out ChooseMyPlate.gov for more information.
• If served family style, ask for a salad plate to use as your main plate.
• When the rolls are brought to the table, after everyone has one ask the server to take the rest away.
• Slow down! Take a drink and/or put your fork down between bites.
• Halfway through, assess your hunger.

   We've probably all been told, at some point, you must clean your plate. Stop the "A Clean Plate is  Happy Plate" mentality.  Use your portion savvy to eat healthy!