Every time I start watching what I eat I realize I don’t have enough measuring cups and spoons. I’m not dieting, I’m watching my nutrition, and that means weighing and measuring everything that goes into my mouth.
Portion Control Made Easy
In the past attempts to improve the food I eat I’ve started off with passion; measuring and recording every morsel that passes these lips. But after some time I’d get tired of pulling out and measuring everything and so I’d start using my best judgment about the size of the serving I was eating. Turns out, that’s what got me in trouble. Now that I’m weighing and measuring again, I have a realistic look at fat, carbohydrates, and more.
To help get myself past the excuses and be more successful this time, I’ve decided to portion out some of my food. Breakfast for example is generally 1/2 cup of cereal (my current favorite is an organic multi-grain hot cereal that’s amazingly delicious – more than just oats, it also has Rye, Barely, and Wheat) and 1/8 cup of dried fruit (I used dried cranberries but you could also use apples, raisins, blueberries, etc).
It sounds simple, but pulling out the packages and the measuring cups can sometimes make me consider just pouring some cereal in a cup and calling it good. Instead, I’ve bought some waxed paper bags (I’m trying to go plastic free as much as possible) and I’ve portioned out enough cereal for the rest of the week.
This also gave me a chance to change up the ingredients – some days there are nuts instead of fruit. I could also change up the type of cereal, add brown sugar or another dry sweetener, etc. I also pop in a bit of cinnamon some days, nutmeg others, and some days I add a bit of vanilla extract to the water before I cook it. It’s never dull and boring!
Save Money
You will save money making your own instant oatmeal packages even with the cost of the wax paper bags. Buy in bulk and you’ll save over purchasing the individual sizes. Just be sure you put your cereal in an air-tight container and use before the use-by date on the package.
Storing Homemade Instant Hot Cereal Packets
I wrapped up the new homemade instant hot cereal packets and stuffed them into an airtight jar. On the top of the jar I wrote the directions in liquid chalk so if someone else in the family uses them they’ll know how much water to add and how long to cook it.
Now I only have to do this once a week or so and clean-up is done in a minute. No searching for measuring spoons or cups and as quick as instant oatmeal! But even better, I control the ingredients so there are no preservatives and my breakfast with 1/2 cup fat free milk is 225 calories and is ready in 3 minutes!
It took me about 5 minutes to put together the week’s cereal, and I could have done many more days, but I need to go shopping. I can’t wait to do this with salad fixings and other things I use every day.
What food do you think this would work for in your home? Kids, hubby, yourself?
First of all I love oatmeal & yes it’s a great idea when it comes to portion control. A smaller plate helps too by the way. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great idea for portion control which I need to work on.
This is a great idea. It not only helps with portion control it saves time each day.
Where do you find the waxed paper bags? I would love to switch.
This is such a good thing, if I am only had the will power to measure my food. I would get in trouble not measuring if I was on that type of diet. But this is a wakeup call for everyone, we all should really do this! Portion control is the key to keeping weight off, it’s just hard!!
Great idea. I never thought of doing that. I really need portion control. I can eat my weight in yummy oatmeal 🙂 Great gift idea too.
What a great idea!! Great time and money saver…
I have never thought about doing this, but love love love this idea. I love oatmeal especially now in the winter. I have to go shopping to get some dried fruit but will be definitely making up some bags. Thanks Connie!
This is such a good idea! Had to Pin it! 🙂
Your pin is VERY appreciated!
those look really good
this is such a great idea!! I will def try this!
This is a really good idea. Especially during the cold months when my kids want a warm breakfast. I will have to give this a try.
What a great idea. Will be doing this recipe.
I just put the measuring container into the container of oatmeal. I repurpose a plastic cup from somewhere else. I measure the right amount into the cup using water, mark the level, and trim with kitchen shears. I do not buy the cup. I carry a reusable thermos/cup with me, but sometimes family members bring drink cups into the house. I reuse those.