--- title: A 'Handy' Alternative to Counting Calories description: Did you know you always carry around a great tool for helping with portion control? Learn how more easily keep your proteins, carbs, veggies and fats in check! image: https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Hand%20holding%20an%20apple%20with%20a%20measuring%20tape%20around%20it%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg --- ![Side Menu Close Button](https://hubpagedesigner.mediatownmarketing.net/assets/images/common/hide-side-menu-btn.png) [![Company Logo](https://hubpagedesigner.mediatownmarketing.net/assets/images/common/company-logo.png) ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/) Call Us Toll Free: 905-822-5240 [ Club Directions ](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/contact-orc) - [ The Club ](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/about-the-orc) - [ Membership ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/blog/a-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories#menu-1) - ##### ABOUT THE CLUB - [About the ORC](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/about-the-orc) - [Hours and Location](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/contact-orc) - [Team Directory](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/ourteam) - 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##### THE PLACE TO BE - [Kids Club](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/kids-club) - [Play Center](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/kids-play-centre) - ##### FUN FOR EVERYONE - [Kids & Teen Programs Guide](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/program-guide) - [Kids Camps](https://www.ontarioracquetclub.com/camps) - [ BECOME A MEMBER ](https://info.ontarioracquetclub.com/book-a-tour) [ Blog home ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/blog) # A 'Handy' Alternative to Counting Calories - February 20, 2018 - By Gloria Atkinson - [ Nutrition ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/blog/topic/nutrition) - [ Fitness ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/blog/topic/fitness) - [ Featured ](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/blog/topic/featured) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20%27Handy%27%20Alternative%20to%20Counting%20Calories) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.hubspot.com%2Fhub%2F158015%2F305390_10100548508246879_837195_59275782_6882128_n.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ontarioracquetclub.com%2Fblog%2Fa-handy-alternative-to-counting-calories%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ![](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Hand%20holding%20an%20apple%20with%20a%20measuring%20tape%20around%20it%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg) Weight loss does not have to be complicated. You can become lean and healthy without following a prescribed meal plan, overworking yourself in the gym or even counting calories. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Fat loss - like any life change - often requires trying new things, getting out of comfort zones and swapping old habits for new ones. And when it comes to food portions, size does matter. But you don’t need a calculator, a scale or a calorie-counting app. When eating becomes overcomplicated, people are more likely to give up and fall back on old habits. That’s simply human nature. Counting calories and weighing portions may become obsessive, cumbersome and is not always accurate. So - it’s a lot of work for only a small gain. The key is to find ways to help you consistently eat quality foods in appropriate amounts. So, how can you best do that?![Hand holding an apple with a measuring tape around it isolated over a white background.jpeg](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Hand%20holding%20an%20apple%20with%20a%20measuring%20tape%20around%20it%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg?width=705&height=449&name=Hand%20holding%20an%20apple%20with%20a%20measuring%20tape%20around%20it%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg) ## A Better Way to Control Portions & Calories Use a simple method that helps people build an awareness of what they’re eating. It’s easy, it’s portable, and it’s scaled to the size of the individual (and it’s free). All you need are the ability to count to two, and your own hand. Here’s how it works: - The size of your palm determines your protein portions. - The size of your fist determines your veggie portions. - The size of your cupped hand determines your starchy carbohydrate portions. - The size of your thumb determines your fat portions. Of course, everybody is a little different. There’s not one “perfect” way of doing things, just as there’s not one “perfect diet” for everyone. But since bigger people tend to have bigger hands and smaller people have smaller hands, your own hand can be a personalized (and portable) measuring device for your food intake. **For protein-dense foods like meat**, fish, eggs, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, legumes and lentils, use a palm-sized serving. This means a serving has the same thickness and diameter as your palm. Each palm-sized serving provides approximately 20 to 30 grams of protein. **For non-starchy colorful vegetables** (think broccoli, spinach, salad, carrots, etc.) use a fist-sized serving. Again, a fist-sized portion has the same thickness and diameter as your fist. **For carbohydrate-dense foods** - like grains, starches or fruits - use a cupped hand to determine your serving size. Each cupped handful provides approximately 20 to 30 g of carbohydrate. **For fat-dense foods** like oils, butters, nuts, seeds, or nut buters use your entire thumb to determine your serving size.  A thumb-sized portion is the thickness and entire length of your thumb and each serving provides approximately 7 to 12 g of fat. ![ORC Blog - Handy Article Guide.jpg](https://blog.ontarioracquetclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Handy%20Alternative%20to%20Counting%20Calories/ORC%20Blog%20-%20Handy%20Article%20Guide.jpg?width=705&height=553&name=ORC%20Blog%20-%20Handy%20Article%20Guide.jpg) The above chart is very general and not for everyone - but is a good place to start. To determine your personal requirement it is suggested that you meet with your ORC nutrition professional. ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7) Gloria Atkinson Gloria has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. Her background training and qualifications are extremely diverse, including Post Secondary education at Sheridan College and Florida State University (Athletic Scholarship). She's a OFC Certified; Group Fitness Instructor and a Personal Trainer, Pilates (Mat and Reformer) and Yoga instructor. Gloria's a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), a ROHP (Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner), and so much more! Glo believes that instead of thinking of dissatisfaction as something bad and pushing the feeling away, we should welcome it. In fact, dissatisfaction is one of the most powerful ways our subconscious nudges us to make a change, our inner being gently telling us to go for more. 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