Burning more calories than you consume is the bottom line when it comes to successful weight loss. Having your lunch in a cereal or salad bowl may help you consume fewer calories because you might underestimate the calories you are consuming when served a large portion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many meals can be served in this way, and the use of varied and nutritious ingredients increases your nutrient intake and satisfies hunger for a moderate amount of calories.
How They Work
The basis behind eating your lunch out of a bowl is that you will consume fewer calories because you are not only eating less, but are skipping some foods that typically are diet downfalls. For example, the Special K Diet requires eating a bowl of cereal at lunchtime, which can fill you up but is much lower in calories than a sandwich and chips or a fast-food burger and fries. The Cereal Bowl Diet advocates eating a cereal-sized bowl filled with vegetables before each meal, which can help you consume less when you have your entree because vegetables are filling, but low in calories and can help you lose weight.
Ingredients
The trick to losing weight by eating lunch from a bowl is to include ingredients from each of the foods groups that are heavy on nutrients, but light on fat and calories. The options are wide, allowing you plenty of variety in your diet. In general, many of the items that are common lunchtime fare, including chips, pizza, oversized sandwiches and greasy burgers and fries, aren't easy to incorporate into a bowl meal. Skipping these items makes it easier to lower your calorie intake at lunchtime. Brown rice, vegetables, fruit, lean meats and cereal are just a few options.
Weight Loss
Eating from a bowl means you are likely consuming less food than if you ate from a plate. Bowls typically hold less, but if you fill it to the top you can trick yourself into believing you just indulged in a large lunchtime meal. In addition, many meals that are served in a bowl, such as cereal, soup and salad, are lower in calories than sandwiches, wraps and pasta dishes. Many bowl diets suggest eating breakfast and lunch from a bowl, then having a normal, but healthy, plated dinner.
Meal Ideas
If you eat out at lunchtime often due to your work schedule, opt for restaurants that will eliminate the tortilla, bread or bun and serve the fillings in a bowl. Chipotle, a Mexican-inspired fast-food restaurant, allows you to order a burrito, minus the tortilla. Your meal will consist of lean meat, beans, rice and vegetables -- items that are generally low in calories but satiating at the same time. Use this as an example at other restaurants or when preparing lunch at home. Slice lean turkey and low-fat cheese and pile it on top of lettuce and tomato and skip the bread. Or make soup with leftover chicken breast and vegetables. Skip the bun on your hamburger and top a salad with it.
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