Are my Food Portion Sizes Correct? If so how much should I be eating?

Question

I am a bit confused when It comes to meal Portion sizes & not sure If I am eating the right amount or 2 much, so if anyone is knowledgable in this area I would much appreciate their input as I am finding it difficult to lose wieght even though I exercise for atleast 30 mins 5 days a week.. A typical day of food & portion sizes for me would be:
Breakfast: either -
a) A medium bowl full of Porridge, w/ a bannana & honey.
b) A slice of wholemeal toast & 1/2cup of baked beans.
c) A bannana Smothie & 1/2 cup of bran in it approx 500ml.

Lunch: either-
a) 4 x vita wheats with ham & hommus on them.
b) medium bowl of salad with a tin of tuna
c) chicken wrap with lettuce, carrot & hommus.

Dinner: either -
a) Piece of meat size of deck of cards (sometimes slightly larger) with 1 cup of vege's & 1 cup of carbs.
b) 1 & 1/2 cup of salad with one cup of chopped meat.
c) medium bowl of pasta or curry with rice.

Snacks: 1 x piece of fruit, or carrot & celery sticks, or cup of soup.

Answer 1

It sounds reasonable, but if you are still finding it difficult to lose weight, it might be because your body thinks it is starving, and so your metabolism has shut down. Try increasing your portions just a little bit. Maybe allow yourself two snacks a day. Also try drinking green tea a few times a day.

A few complaints: I'd be sure and add extra carrot sticks to the crackers and hummus lunch. And I think you need more protein and veggies for Dinner C. Also, there's not much calcium in this. How about some low-fat milk? Or maybe some fish with bones in -- like a can of sardines or salmon instead of tuna?

This sounds like a real bare-minimum diet; if you are not losing, you should see a real nutritionist and get the facts.

Answer 2

I would change your diet to

Breakfast: Fruit or yogurt

Lunch: Soup (I suggest vegetable soup with some beans for protein)

Dinner: Salad, no ranch dressing, or any other such dressings. Use olive oil.

In between those times, I would get bags of broccoli, carrots, squash, and make sure they are raw, eat as much of it as you want, don't ever eat until you are uncomfortably full, just simply eat more greens, fruits, soups(vege), no meat, but get protein with beans or nuts.

You don't need to make things complex really, it is quite simple, you must want to lose weight to do so, eat only veges for a couple months, you'll see a difference from just that, now excersize and alternate water with lemonade (Actually use real lemons with water, no sugar, if you want sweet, the tiniest bit of Grade B natural maple syrup is okay, but be careful with it)

If that doesn't work out for you, look up the Lemonade Diet, it's tough, but it works like a charm and cleanses your body.

Answer 3

You have to limit your food to around 1200 calories with exercise. You are eating way too much. Lose 800. Have a 6 inch sub, and forget the snack thing. That sub is 460 calories already. For your snack and desert, you should have water. Yes, have water.