If you have problems controlling your portions, listen up.

A new study has found that the use of specially-designed plates and bowls can help overweight and obese patients with weight loss, according to ABC News.

In this study, published in the most recent issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, Dr. Sue Pedersen and colleagues from the University of Calgary, used a commercially available, calibrated portion control plate and cereal bowl called the Diet Plate with markings indicating how much of each food group should be served.

Patients using the plate and bowl for six months lost an average of about five pounds, compared to the control group that lost less than half a pound.

The Diet Plate concept looks interesting and easy to use. And there are plates for men, women and children. If I wasn't low-carb, I would definitely try it.

If any of you have, let me know what your experience has been.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com