We all know about the miracles of the paleo diet, keto diet, or intermittent fasting for quick weight loss. But they aren’t suitable for one and all. Even though they are quite efficient, we have to follow a dedicated routine to achieve success. Unlike all these strict diets, the Small Plate Movement was one such initiative to motivate people for healthy and sustainable weight loss. Never knew about it? Here’s all you should explore!
What is Small Plate Movement?
The Small Plate Movement was a psychological attempt to tame our minds for controlling portion sizes in every meal. An American Ph.D. scholar Brian Wansink began this campaign to urge people to reduce their plate size from 12 inches to 10 inches radius. The essential principles of the entire motive included:
- Avoid mindlessly eating better: Even though most of us switch to a clean and plant-based diet, we often hit the weight loss plateau and stall the entire process. Mindlessly gorging away the rich and nutritious food also sums up excess calories, which can wreck our weight loss progress. The moment thus aims to downsize the quantities to control mindless eating.
- Controlling portion sizes: The simple hack of reducing the crockery size directly links to the reduced portion in every meal. Though we might eat the same as one serving on a large plate, the food on a small plate tends to satisfy us. This way, we can skip the Delboeuf Illusion in the large plates and stick to single servings as required.
- Workouts and physical activity are a must: Apart from the portion control, the campaign also suggests the participants follow an active lifestyle with rigorous workouts. Evidently, a proper balance between diet and exercise can only result in fitness.
Challenges faced by people
As the movement isn’t any specified diet plan, there are no suggestions or alternatives to replace the existing diet. People trying to follow the campaign faced the following issues.
- It didn’t specify portion sizes: Though the plate shrunk down to 10-inches, there weren’t any specific notes about the portion sizes we should take. Say, we might take the smaller plate but pile it up with food which might be even more than a large plate serving.
- No changes in diet and food choices: Say, we are conscious enough to maintain mindful eating and stick to a single plate per meal, but will we get fit eating the same? The Small Plate Movement doesn’t provide any alternates to food items or specify a clean to eat.
What was the social response?
Since the movement got wind in 2009, it almost became a phenomenal trend among all the weight loss enthusiasts struggling to follow a strict diet. By switching to smaller plates and including conscious foods, many people lost around 2-3 pounds. Health got better, and life expectancy also increased around three years, promising a healthy and sustainable life.
Since there are no restrictions but the only motivation, the zeal is still alive today with active participation among conscious diet planners. Considering the same, the food product manufacturers and hotel servers, these days, serve half portions, and reduced quantities for many demanded food items.
