What is The Portion Plate?
The Portion Plate is a portion control dietary program that promotes a balanced, nutritional approach to meal planning. Recent scientific studies show that nearly 60% of Americans are overweight, and that one of the main reasons for this growing epidemic of obesity is that we simply eat too much food. To help curb that trend, Episcopal Retirement Homes’ (ERH) Parish Health Ministry is launching The Portion Plate program, which is customized for congregational use.
Adapted from the Wellness Outreach Program of Partners in Corporate Health, Inc., the Portion Plate encourages participants (and their families) to control their food portions, which may lead to improved physical health, reduced weight, decreased risk for diabetes and other diseases, and an increased overall awareness of the benefits of portion control. How does the program work? - Participants sign up and pay a $10.00 participation fee to take the Portion Plate pledge. This enables the individual to receive a fun, portion-controlled plate, corresponding educational placemat and brochure, as well as a pledge log and daily meditations.
- By taking The Portion Plate pledge, participants commit to using their plate during at least one meal per day (lunch or dinner) for a two-week period. They will record their use of the plate on the pledge log. Participants will also have the option of focusing on other health behaviors, such as daily exercise and water consumption, by using the personal goals checklist.
- Participants who complete the program by using the portion-control plate for two weeks will turn in their completed logs and the evaluation form.
- Churches are encouraged to use recognition and/or rewards for completing The Portion Plate pledge, such as t-shirts, gift certificates or other type of award. These will be provided by your health ministry team. This incentive can be done individually or in the form of a drawing.
- Participant evaluations are summarized by the program coordinator on the overall program evaluation and then shared with the health ministry team and congregation.
| What does the program provide? - A complete implementation kit with detailed instructions and forms
- Supportive participant materials
- Materials to promote the program
- A sample sermon for use by the minister/priest or a member of the health cabinet, if desired.
Portion Plate Program Packet
The Portion Plate program packet includes implementation materials (program overview, implementation guidelines, sign-in sheet and program evaluation form), promotional materials (sample bulletin announcement, sample newsletter article, flier/poster, spiritual support materials, and Healthy Thoughts bulletin insert), and participant materials (participant guidelines, pledge log sheet, participant evaluation form, personal goals checklist, daily meditation, top 10 portion tips.) ...$ 50*
Additional Portion Plate Kits
The Portion Plate Kit includes a dishwasher-safe plate, placemat, and brochure ...$ 10*
Question call (513) 271-9610 ext. 4289 or toll free at 1-800-835-5768. |
