It’s no surprise to anyone that Americans are more overweight than any other industrialized nation.  According to a recent Gallup Poll, nearly 6 in 10 Americans (59%) would like to lose weight.  Americans live fast lifestyles, eat on the go, and many are no longer taking the time to eat proper meals.  Getting organized in the kitchen can make all the difference.  With some planning, preparation and the right equipment, it really doesn’t take that long to cook up a tasty and healthy meal.  Eating out at restaurants often take up more time than preparing a meal at home, and to make matters worse, we almost always eat more in a restaurant than we would if we ate the same meal at home.    

Take some time to find some easy, quick and healthy recipes and begin by preparing one or two meals per week.  Another way to really take control of your diet is to not only cook your meals at home, but to also weigh your food before serving.   Weighing your food will allow you to totally take control of your diet, instead of simply guessing your serving size.  For instance, the larger the dinner plate, the smaller the serving size appears, giving you the impression that you’re not eating enough.  So I recommend that you begin with using a smaller size dinner plate. 

Here are a few serving size recommendations:

 Meat, chicken, fish: 3oz

• Pasta, rice, oatmeal, potatoes, cooked vegetables: 4oz
• Bagel or muffin: 1oz
• Cheese: 1oz

Kitchen scales have become more popular in the U.S. and is the most accurate way to weigh your food.  It really isn’t that much trouble.  Keep your kitchen scale out on your countertop, ready to use at any time. There are many very attractive designs and some even measure calories.  Check out these and more at www.homestoragewarehouse.com.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips and learn more about her presentations at www.castawaytheclutter.com