Study: Guys Don't Need Man-Sized Portions To Satisfy Hunger

Men are known for their big appetites -- right?

Not necessarily. A new study suggests guys don't need man-sized portions to feel satisfied.

In the study, University of Illinois dietitians tested prepared meals as a weight-loss plan for men. They used the same plan they used with women last year, with calories adjusted upward just a tad (1,700 calories) for the male metabolism.

"The men in this study didn't feel deprived. They liked the feeling of being able to cinch their belts a notch tighter, and in eight weeks, they had a better idea of what a healthy portion size should be," said dietitian LeaAnn Carson in a news release.

In the study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 60 healthy overweight men were divided into two groups. One group ate prepared frozen entrees that simply had to be popped into a microwave. The other group had to weigh, measure, and estimate serving sizes while they prepared their food.

The men who ate frozen entrees lost 16 pounds in eight weeks; the men who estimated serving size lost 12 pounds. Both groups had a significant decrease in the diastolic -- or lower number -- of their blood pressures, and all dieters' blood lipids profiles came down as well.

"The men who prepared their meals were given the pyramid and told what sort of servings the pyramid called for," Carson said. "We also told them to choose lean meats and low-fat foods. But making choices and estimating serving sizes is just harder to do, and it obviously allows more room for error."

Dietitian Sandra Hannum, another researcher on the study, said the findings are important because they show that portion control is likely a key factor for many people who want to lose weight.

"Some diets have been popular lately because they promise you can eat all you want of certain foods, and people like to hear that," Hannum said. "This study shows how important portion control is in any weight-loss diet."

Hannum also said that more and more people are choosing not to invest large amounts of time in meal preparation, and, when people eat in restaurants regularly, they're vulnerable to weight gain from the large portions that are usually served.

"People tend to consume the amount of food that's placed before them," she said.