As thought leaders and policymakers focus on reducing diet-related diseases and promoting healthy eating patterns, one practice is sometimes overlooked: portion control. A recent report released by Georgetown University’s Portion Balance Coalition, The Power of Portions, highlights how portion control holds an important correlation to public health. This builds on a seminal 2014 report from the McKinsey Global Institute, which recommended portion management to improve long-term health and reduce obesity rates. The 2014 report found that portion control is more effective than many other weight.
Importantly, the Power of Portions report found one reliable and convenient way that people manage their portion sizes: frozen meals.
The Importance of Portion Control
Portion control — consuming smaller, more measured amounts of food — helps individuals better manage their calorie intake, which is essential for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. It involves regulating the amount of food consumed in a single sitting, helping to reduce calorie intake without compromising nutritional needs. Smaller portions also reduce the risk of obesity-related health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Portion control is an important tool in calorie management. The Power of Portions report revealed that 51% of consumers practice portion management for health reasons and desire smaller portion sizes in their foods.
Frozen Foods: The Relied-Upon Portion Control Method
Georgetown University’s Portion Balance Coalition found compelling data which shows that frozen meals are a trusted and relied-upon resource for portion control. Among a survey of over 1,000 respondents, research found that:
- Many people practice portion control with frozen meals, with half of the survey respondents reporting that they buy single-serve frozen entrees because they’re a convenient way to eat healthier through portion control.
- Frozen entrée products allow for consumers to enjoy a meal more easily and quickly when they don’t have the time to cook from scratch, and still control their calorie intake without additional planning or measuring.
These facts reinforce what we already know: frozen foods offer a valuable benefit of dietary management, particularly portion control — a crucial element in maintaining a balanced diet and managing weight. When foods are frozen and pre-packaged in specific amounts, it provides a straightforward solution to help control calories.
Pre-packaging ensures consumers can easily adhere to their intended portion sizes without the guesswork often associated with serving sizes. By having access to meals already measured and ready for consumption, individuals can effortlessly track their consumption of calories, nutrients, and other essential dietary elements.
Frozen foods are an especially valuable tool for those who are on the go or who lack the necessary resources to cook individual meals from scratch. The ability to quickly heat and consume a balanced and properly portioned meal can be a game-changer in their daily routine. It allows them to maintain their dietary goals without resorting to less healthy food options in their quest for a healthier, more balanced diet.
The convenience of frozen foods isn’t just about saving time; it’s also about the diversity and enjoyment of eating. Frozen foods enable individuals to explore a variety of meals and flavors, all while adhering to their dietary constraints. Variety ensures that maintaining a diet or following a meal plan doesn’t become monotonous or bland but rather an enjoyable and convenient experience.
Portion Control Helps Reduce Food Waste and Agriculture’s Environmental Footprint
From an environmental perspective, portion control reduces food waste, a significant problem with extensive ecological impacts. People who practice portion control discard less food, conserve resources used in food production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste.
Additionally, with less demand for excessive food production, agriculture’s environmental footprint, including water usage and land exploitation, could decrease. Ultimately, portion control presents a multifaceted approach to promoting human and ecological well-being.
Head to the Frozen Aisle for Tasty, Healthy Food Choices
Frozen foods offer a practical solution for managing portion sizes, a key factor in effective weight loss. Consistent serving sizes and clear nutritional information help individuals make informed dietary choices. As with any dietary strategy, the key is balance—integrating frozen foods while maintaining an overall healthy and varied diet.
Click through to learn how frozen food offers convenience and nutritional value to our lives.