It’s easier when someone else controls it for you…
While on vacation I had a couple of dessets. And the world didn’t end. I didn’t have a meltdown, walk ten blocks to buy more chocolate or start eating everything in sight.
One night we went to a wonderful Greek restaurant. Baklava is one of my favorite things, and generally not a triggering food for me, so I decided to take a piece back to the hotel room. It was delicious and, since it was one piece packaged up at the restaturant, there was no fear of suddenly going on a huge baklava binge. I got the piece I was given, and that was it.
Another night we had dinner at a lovely seafood restaurant, and they had local-made fruit sorbets as a dessert option. Most dessert menus are not even a temptation for me because I have a dairy allergy, and all the “good stuff” is made with butter. But this was a dessert I could have, so we ordered one serving and shared it. The flavors were wonderful, just like fresh fruit. And, again, it was served to me, so once it was gone there would be no more. Plus I was sharing and I couldn’t be a pig!
The strange thing is, since the portions were controlled by someone else, I didn’t even think about having more. At home I decided to try the restaurant philosophy and serve things in small portions, on smaller plates. It’s all mental, but it seems to work. Small servings look plenty big on a small plate. Since it’s possible to overeat anything, even healthy foods, I’ve started putting dessert-like items in little tiny single-serve dishes. When it’s gone, it’s gone…just like the restaurant.
sweeter without 