What's in a portion?

Anyone who has come along to my classes will know I am not thin. Stout would be a cruel term, chunky marginally more acceptable. And all around me in Glasgow I see expanding bodies. For women of a certain age, it is a square body on leggings. The uniform of the chunky. A baggy top and leggings. 

Yet I do yoga every morning, I cycle, I teach classes and I don't each rubbish. So why aren't I a bit thinner? All I am asking for is perhaps to be a stone lighter. A stone that doesn't boomerang back with a vengeance.

I think the problem lies in portion sizes. I love cooking and I love eating. I use butter and olive oil. I've tried using smaller plates to eat off but I just end up going back for seconds.

The answer, dear reader, lies in our hands. If we use our hands as a measuring tool, there is no escaping whether we are over eating. And once you understand that, there is no escaping the facts. Your hands are always there to remind you. Now that I have taken this on board, I'll let you know if I shake off that pesky extra stone.

It also shows whether we are feeding our children too much. Remember, their hands are smaller than an adults and portions should be adjusted in accordance.

Here is a guide to using hands for portion control. I found it on the internet so am unable to acknowledge where it came from. But it is very useful.

I am all for making life simple. This must be the simplest tool for measuring food.

And remember that how you eat is as important for your health  as what you eat. Eat moderately — the ideal ayurvedic 'portion' is what fits in your two cupped palms. Don't skip meals, because eating three meals at regular times each day 'trains' your digestion to anticipate and digest your food. Your digestive system needs to be taken care of!