No matter what type of weight loss plan you choose as part of a healthier lifestyle, don’t underestimate the importance of portion control.

Eating modest, sensible amounts of a variety of healthy foods is one of the keys to successful weight loss and to weight maintenance, especially as you age and your metabolism changes.

Unfortunately, many restaurants and food companies tout oversized portions of foods to offer consumers more value, but if you are trying to lose weight, it’s essential to keep portions in perspective. If you choose to eat more than a single portion or serving of food, you need to do the math and add the calories to keep within your calorie budget and avoid sabotaging your weight loss plan.

Here are some proportion guidelines:

• 3 ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards

• 1 medium orange or apple is about the size of a tennis ball

• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter is about the size of the tip of your thumb.
 
Whatever weight loss plan you follow, keep portions in control by reading labels, avoiding second helpings and putting serving containers away immediately rather than leaving them out.