Show the image.  Make sure the plate with more gravy, stuffing, potatoes, turkey skin, salad dressing, and cranberry sauce appears on the left.  Ask viewers to rate the 2 plates in terms of similarities and differences, and to share their thoughts.

• Differences
  • Larger amounts of gravy, stuffing, potatoes, turkey skin, salad dressing, cranberry sauce (higher-fat/higher-sugar foods on left)
  • Larger amounts of green beans and tossed salad (lower fat/lower sugar foods) on right
• Similarities:  Both plates have same food items - only amounts differ.

Ask for volunteers to guess which plate has more calories and ask what the calorie difference is.

• Calories/serving sizes down left side are for left plate - 1100 calories
• Calories/serving sizes down right side are for right plate - 550 calories

Compare the calorie differences on the handout to volunteers' estimates.  Ask for comments.

• Ask the audience to compare serving sizes and calorie differences of the food items on the two plates.  Discuss the relationship between calorie levels in individual foods and the food's fat/sugar content.
• Point out that the same portion-control principle can apply to the following:
  • Dessert:  2" slice of pumpkin pie with 1 Tbsp. whipped cream has half the calories of a 4" slice with 2 Tbsp.
  • Other favorite meals or food combinations.  Ask for examples.

Ask if anyone has a preference for either plate, emphasizing that there are no right or wrong answers.  Discuss responses, emphasizing the following points:

• You may prefer the left plate.
• However, when trying to moderate food intake, learning to prefer plates like the one on the right will help harness "the power of portion control."

Questions/wrap-up/evaluation

Reinforce the bottom line:

• With portion control, you can
  • Have a full plate,
  • Eat the foods you like, and
  • Feel satisfied but not overstuffed.
• In other words, you can
  • Enjoy the foods you like while you eat, and
  • Feel good - physically and mentally - after you leave the table.