Dining Fit Tip #5: Portion Control

Portion sizes in restaurants continue to get larger and larger. When McDonald's introduced their hamburgers in 1955, they were 1.6 ounces. You can still get that size, but you can also get burgers as big as 8 ounces at Mickey D's. That's more than 500 additional calories in one menu item!

Controlling your portion sizes when eat out is paramount to controlling your calorie intake.

• Order a half portion or lunch size portion, even if it costs the same.
• Split an entree with another diner.
• Order an appetizer instead of an entree.
• Ask for a "to go" box with your entree. Put half of the entree into the box before you start eating, even if you don't have a refrigerator.