Portion Recognition and Body image go hand-in-hand. How we see ourselves in the mirror is directly related to portion sizes. It is what we believe to be the truth.
This direct correlation was difficult for me at first but I am seeing it more and more everyday. Society and the media contribute to these two factors and it is hard to see it from a different perspective. The media plays a direct part in our beauty standards. Beauty seems to equal size 2 to size 4.
Let's take a small trip down memory lane. Back in the 50's and early 60's, pin-up girls were the symbol of sexiness. Women like Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe, Bridget Bardot, Sandra Dee, Sophia Loren, and Gina Lollobrigida. It was rumored that Marilyn Monroe got up to size 16. Whether that is true or not, these women were gorgeous but today they would be labeled plus size or overweight.
What has changed our perceptions so much?
Sizes in clothes have changed. Today's size 10 is smaller than a size 10 from 50 years ago.
In our fast passed life style, we turned to processed foods, fast foods, and portion sizes. I had an big eye opening experience about portion control earlier this year in a weight management class. Web MD has a great example of a portion size plate. Check it out. You will be amazed at a true portion size that calories are based on versus the "visual" portion size by today's standards. Check out the comparisons and let me know what you discover. This is one of the core principles for A Slice of Life Diet.
Recently my massage therapist who specializes in sports massage, shared with me info in a book that tis true, our brain chemistry dictates the overweight problems after years of "bad" or "junk" foods – eating at fast food etc. Also, a program on DNA and cells reveal that even certain foods in our ancestors, starvation to high carb will affect our bodies no matter what. I came across studies in hormones and further science studies on TV the other day: cells that hold fat and will grow n' grow n' grow with urgent need. I'm not saying we give in, but stop beating ourselves up for our body types. Rather seek to eat healthy foods, exercise, don't smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol to excess. The better we care for our bodies, the better our future family will be.