Divided Plates: Not Just For Kids Anymore!
Every person needs balanced meals to remain healthy. These meals ensure they get the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. People need a variety of foods, and experts recommend eating the rainbow. However, the serving sizes must be correct to prevent obesity and other issues. Divided plates help individuals eat a balanced meal and get the proper portion sizes to avoid overeating and the accompanying health issues.
Portion Control Made Simple
Divided plates provide users with visual clues that help them better understand portion sizes and balanced meal composition. Each section of the plate can be reserved for a different food group. The United States Department of Agriculture has created My Plate, a visual guide to a balanced meal.
My Plate recommends devoting 25% to fruit and 25% to vegetables. Grains and protein should comprise the other 50% of the plate, with half of the grains being whole grains. Dairy products should make up a small portion of each meal. A divided plate makes it easy to ensure that this meal composition is achieved.
Divided plates also help control portion sizes. When specific areas of the plate are allocated for different food groups, a person can avoid overeating or consuming huge portions. Portion moderation is vital to good health and leads to better weight management.
Using a divided plate leads to mindful eating. People become more aware of the foods they are eating and their portion sizes. The plate helps with satiety control.
Food Separation for Temperature Control
A cucumber salad may sound delicious when preparing a meal, but once on the plate, it turns the food next to it cold. This problem can be easily avoided by investing in divided plates, which separate foods and ensure they remain at the proper temperature.
The same holds true when preparing hamburgers and potato salad. Nobody wants their hamburger to touch the potato salad because the salad may make the hamburger cold. Divided plates keep food separate, so the foods remain at the temperature they were when cooked.
Many people assume this is not an issue because they devour their food. However, the food may touch when a person sits down for a meal and converses with others. Using divided plates ensures the food is delicious whether it's eaten immediately or after a long and involved conversation.
Preventing Different Flavors From Mixing
Many adults and children are picky eaters. They do not like their foods to touch the plate because they want to avoid the different flavors mixing. Divided plates are a great benefit to these individuals; they can enjoy their food without any flavors mingling. Psychologists believe these individuals may have an exaggerated disgust response, and a divided plate ensures they can eat their meal in peace.
Divided plates also ensure sauces and gravies stay where they belong. Imagine picking up a roll to eat it only to find it is covered in gravy from the mashed potatoes it was sitting next to. Using a divided plate prevents this issue because it keeps the gravy in its compartment away from the other foods on the plate.
Individuals who do not like flavors mixed in a meal may choose to eat one item at a time. The compartments make it easy for them to do so. Experts refer to these people as isolationist eaters. They prefer to work around the plate rather than combine any foods. The divided plate makes it easy to do so.
Easier Meal Planning and Prep
Parents not only want to teach their children healthy eating habits but also want to sustain these eating habits throughout adulthood. Divided plates make it easy to plan balanced meals that include all food groups. The person preparing the meal can easily look at the plate and ensure they have covered every group and that the portion sizes are adequate. This makes planning ahead and prepping for meals easy.
Individuals with health conditions such as diabetes must be careful about what they eat. Counting calories, carbohydrates, and other meal components can be very challenging. Divided plates simplify this process by allowing them to quickly see if they are overdoing it in one area and not getting enough in another.
Divided plates have numerous benefits for children and adults alike. Every person should try a divided plate to see if it makes their meal more enjoyable. Many people will find it allows them to take dining to a new level.
