The Best Portion Control Plates for Your Healthy-Eating Goals

Are you over- or underestimating portions? Well, if you're confused when it comes to portion sizes, you're not alone.

For starters, eating out can totally skew your idea of what a healthy helping looks like. Sometimes the portions you receive at restaurants can be enough to feed three people! In fact, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports portion sizes have nearly doubled over the last 20 years. That's right. The three-inch wide, 140-calorie bagel of yesteryear has since morphed into twice the size and calories.

Not surprisingly, the average adult's waistline, weight and overall body mass index (BMI) have ballooned too, according to a 2018 report by the National Center for Health Statistics.

So what can you do to mitigate this portion distortion? Whether you're trying to slim down or just eat healthier in general, portion control plates might be your simplest solution.

Read more: 4 Portion Control Container Sets That Make Meal Prep a Breeze

Portion control plates are visual tools that take the guesswork out of measuring and offer an easier alternative to calorie counting. Essentially, they're dishes divided into sections that represent the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) daily dietary guidelines for recommended fruits, veggies, proteins and grains, says registered dietitian Leslie Langevin, author of The Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen Cookbook and co-owner of Whole Health Nutrition, a Vermont-based nutrition counseling company.

ICYMI, half your plate should contain fruits and veggies, while the remaining half should be divided equally among protein and grains.

Not only do portion control plates curb portion distortion, they're also a great visual reminder to eat your fruits and veggies, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, most people aren't getting enough of these nutrient-packed, disease-fighting foods. In fact, only one in 10 adults consumes the USDA's suggested amount of fruit and vegetables each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Portion control plates can also be useful aids for weight loss. By filling half your plate with fruits and greens, you automatically limit high-calorie and high-starch foods, Langevin tells LIVESTRONG.com. For example, instead of an overflowing bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, pack half your dish with broccoli or spinach. This one simple swap can save you between 300 and 500 calories.

Langevin also recommends portion control plates for those with diabetes because they help regulate your intake of starchy carbs and promote high-fiber veggies and protein. That's why the American Diabetes Association endorses the plate method as an effective, no-fuss way to manage blood glucose levels.

"Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied. Don't push yourself to finish what's on your plate if you're full."

Since portion control plates support mindful and balanced eating, they can also be helpful guides for anyone recovering from an eating disorder, says Langevin, adding that it's always best to consult a registered dietitian to create an individualized food plan if you're struggling with disordered eating.

Lastly, portion control plates can be used to educate kids about healthy eating habits. "They help children learn what their plate portions should look like, increase their nutrient intake and reduce overeating," says Langevin. Plus, they make packing nutritious school lunches a breeze.

Read more: 7 Tricks to Make Portion Control Easy

When using with portion control dishes, stick to non-starchy veggies as much as possible, says Langevin. Translation: Count potatoes as a carbohydrate, not a veggie. And, for those with diabetes, corn and peas fall into the starch category too.

In terms of carbs, choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and rolled oats. For that matter, at least half of all the grains you eat should be whole grains, according to the USDA. And beware of foods labeled with words like "multi-grain," "stone-ground," "cracked wheat" or "seven-grain." Often, they're not whole-grain products.

Though most portion plates don't include sections for fats or dairy, you still need both — in moderation — for a balanced diet. For fats, Langevin recommends incorporating healthier options like olive oil and avocado. She also suggests swapping animal-based dairy with unsweetened plant-based products for a great calcium boost with fewer calories.

Once you've plated properly, Langevin advises you to eat your fruits and veggies first, then move to your protein and end with your starches. This order guarantees that you're not missing out on those important plant-based vitamins and minerals.

And don't feel the need to lick your plate clean. "Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied," says Langevin. "Don't push yourself to finish what's on your plate if you're full."

Before you purchase a portion control plate, first think about who will be using it. Only you? Your kids? Keep in mind that children need slightly different portions than adults, so you'll have to buy a kid-friendly option. And remember that the plate model will need to be tweaked for athletes, too, since they need more calories and carbs, according to Langevin.

Ready to give it a go? Check out these popular portion control plates on Amazon that'll help you go from mind_less_ to mind_ful_ eating in a snap.

MyPlate 10-inch Plate for Adults & Teens

Designed by nutrition experts, these colorful plates are perfect for serving balanced meals according to the USDA dietary guidelines. Each of the food groups is labeled clearly to help you keep portions in the right ratio. Plus, they're conveniently dishwasher-safe and don't contain harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates or PVC.

Cons:

• They're not microwave-safe.
• They don't have physical dividers between each food group, so the amount .

Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $8.95

Precise Portions 2-Go

Practicing portion control even when you're away from home is a lot simpler and more convenient with these dietitian-designed plates. Made with BPA-free plastic, these dishes come with leak-proof lids that'll keep your pre-portioned meals fresh and mess-free wherever you go. The best part? They're super durable and safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher.

Cons:

• They're a little pricy compared to other options.

Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $34.99 for a 4-pack

Meal Measure Portion Control Plate

This budget-friendly, easy-to-use portion control tool measures healthy portions of food on almost any plate. You simply place it on the dishes you already have, fill each cavity with the appropriate food group, lift it when you're ready to eat and voila: perfect portions! What's more? Every cavity has two lines indicating a cup and half a cup, so you can be even more precise about your portion sizes.

Cons:

• The tray is a bit bulky and won't lay flush against plates that aren't completely flat.

Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $9.99

Precise Portions Divided Disposable Plates

Made of natural bamboo fiber, these eco-friendly, microwave-safe, disposable portion control plates are compostable, biodegradable and ideal for picnics and parties. The bonus? Each box of 25 contains an informational guide with tips on meal planning, weight loss and portion control.

Cons:

• They're disposable, which means you'll need to buy more regularly.

But it: Amazon.com; Price: $9.95