I love using the “Weight Loss” section of Stumbleupon to find new trends in the dieting world. My latest stumbling trip led me to discover a great new product called the Basik Box. The premise of the product is 5 containers that hold specifically measured portions of foods. In addition to the boxes themselves, clients have the option of using the online healthy menu planner for perfect calorie control with the portioned boxes.

The great thing that I see about this system is that it would be so easy to implement without shelling out 40 – 50$ for the two different plan options that are available from this company. While their convenient packaging system does make it simple to compactly carry all 5 of the boxes at once, it would be easy to copy the idea without requiring the same investment. Plenty of containers now come with sizes on them, either in ounces or cups, making it easier than ever to portion out two cups of your favorite snack (cereal, chopped fruit, etc.) without having to break out your measuring cups to get the right amount.

All of us are guilty of sitting down with a bag of chips or box of crackers and mindlessly munching away. Instead of falling into that trap, try portioning out the recommended serving sizes of your snack of choice in a measured container. Here are a couple of healthy snacks and their calories-per-portion:

2 Cups Watermelon – 85 calories

1 Cup of Sherbert – 200 Calories

1 Cup of Cheerios – 110 Calories

1 Cup cooked Couscous – 176 Calories

2 Cups of Cottage Cheese – 280 Calories

1 Cup of Popcorn – Typically 50-150 Calories

1 Cup Whole Wheat Pasta – 174 Calories

2 Cups of Miso Soup w/ Tofu Pieces (Trader Joe’s)– 90 Calories

½ Cup Hummus – 210 Calories

1 Cup Edamame Soybeans, in Pod – 180 Calories

1 Cup Sliced Bananas – 135 Calories

2 Cups Sliced Strawberries – 106 Calories

1 Cup Elbow Macaroni – 221 Calories