Day 3: Measuring Up

Join associate editor Tami Fertig on a 7-day challenge to reset her sense of proper portions. Sign up to receive daily challenge newsletters here and be sure to read the magazine story that inspired the challenge here.

On Day 2, I counted out and measured just about everything in sight. Not once did I approximate a tablespoon of oil or grab nuts straight from the bag.

Did you know a proper portion of pecan halves fits perfectly in your palm? I think I could probably eat three or four palmfuls in one sitting. Eye-opening stuff!

Sure, there’’s something less than glamorous about scooping a homemade meal into a measuring cup, but I did get a pleasant surprise come dinnertime: a cup of yummy Mac-and-Cheese-Style Cauliflower is a lot more filling than it sounds. I only regretted not having dessert afterward.

Still, none of this compares to the challenge I face today. It’’s recipe-testing day at the VT office; we’re sampling five tasty recipes for an upcoming issue. It’’s my job to jot down scores and clean up the leftovers. (I often do this by eating them.) Should I sit this one out? No, can’’t neglect my duties. I’’ll just try limiting myself to a nibble of each.

Another random thought: While I loved bringing snacks and a veggie wrap to work yesterday, I had to get up extra-early to prepare them. I think I’’ll start doing this sort of thing the night before, so I can sleep in a little later.

What’’s everyone else’s biggest challenge so far? Chat about it!

—To sign up for the 7-Day Portion Control daily newsletter, visit the main page.

—Get the full 7-day meal plan.

—Read the magazine story that inspired the challenge, The Get Real Diet.

—Check out the Serving Savvy Cheat Sheet.