The Portion Distortion- We're Eating More - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JAlanRuss72 · 06-24-2009, 03:01 PM

In my Health Class, we viewed an Online Slideshow on how much MORE food we are being served in restaurants and in stores compared to 20 years ago. The results are astounding, most things are at least 2-3 times bigger than they were in 1989. Here's the website: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion to view part 1 and 2 (on the right side). My reflection paper is below if you care to read. Thanks!

Apparently America’s portions have increased to anywhere from two to three times what it was just 20 years ago. This fact is not only alarming and shocking, but completely unnecessary. Even foods with questionable nutritional value such as hamburgers and slices of pizza were not as calorie-laden as they appear to be today. By increasing the amount of the food given in “individual” portions, the natural inkling is to finish the food that is on your plate, to complete the meal . . . after all, you did pay for it. Another thing that I noticed being done, probably deliberately, is that the size of plates are getting larger. The portion of spaghetti fits perfectly on the new, larger plate and as gradually as this is happening, I suspect people have not even realized it. Who 20 years ago, upon finishing a plate of spaghetti (even a smaller one), would have asked for seconds? It would have seemed gluttonous and unthinkable for the most part. The increase in plate size has also meant an increase in waist size. Even the once healthy bagel, now almost three times as big, becomes a caloric nightmare. Most of this information was surprising to me, as I have not noticed very much of a change since my high school days. I suspect that it has been happening gradually throughout the years, though I’m unclear why it is happening. The one place I did notice a change was at the movie theatre. Typically I have always gotten a medium or small drink, but in the last several years the size of the medium has become what a large use to be. The small is what a medium was, and the large is now almost impossible to even hold with two hands. Whoa to the person who consumes all that liquid and expects to see more than a third of the movie without running to the bathroom!
The information in Portion Distortion was not only fundamentally influential and helpful, it was also interesting. I am certainly going to be paying closer attention to the portions of food when I go out to eat, and am making it a goal to eat about half to a third of what is on my plate. What is not eaten can be shared, or taken home for another meal, cutting down immensely on the number of calories. I’m also finding myself ordering small drinks rather than the medium, or even better ordering water. There is no reason we can’t eat the same, or better, as we did 20 years ago. It’s no wonder people are gaining weight, especially young people.
In reviewing the Portion Distortion Assessment, I found myself asking why is this happening? Surely people haven’t been clamoring loudly to “put more food on our plates!” or “this just isn’t enough food for our family”. No, it seems this is less in response to demand (at least initially) than to something else. I honestly am not certain what it is. It seems illogical to serve “more” food and lose money on the deal. Of course, the possibility is that food companies and restaurants, in a desire to charge more and more each passing year, has felt “obligated” to provide more food and larger portions. Perhaps they think it will keep us coming back for more and spending even more still. Apparently, it has worked. The idea that we always need more is a human characteristic. More is always better . . . until you step on the bathroom scale, that is.

Chocoholic · 06-24-2009, 03:36 PM

Portion sizes are getting a little big. I usually eat half and take the rest home.

Janice · 06-24-2009, 08:05 PM

That article is interesting and very true. I wish restaurants would serve normal portions for less money, instead of a mountain of food carrying a hefty calorie count and a hefty price tag. On the other hand, I hate how grocery food items have become smaller. An English muffin is so small, it gets lost in the toaster. Ice cream bars are gone in five bites. A can of coffee used to be a pound, but now it's 11 to 13 ounces. Candy bars are smaller. Anyone remember how big Snickers bars were? It's a sneaky backdoor price increase. It's an insult to consumer intelligence.

06-24-2009, 03:01 PM	#1
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	The Portion Distortion- We're Eating More In my Health Class, we viewed an Online Slideshow on how much MORE food we are being served in restaurants and in stores compared to 20 years ago. The results are astounding, most things are at least 2-3 times bigger than they were in 1989. Here's the website: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion to view part 1 and 2 (on the right side). My reflection paper is below if you care to read. Thanks! Apparently America’s portions have increased to anywhere from two to three times what it was just 20 years ago. This fact is not only alarming and shocking, but completely unnecessary. Even foods with questionable nutritional value such as hamburgers and slices of pizza were not as calorie-laden as they appear to be today. By increasing the amount of the food given in “individual” portions, the natural inkling is to finish the food that is on your plate, to complete the meal . . . after all, you did pay for it. Another thing that I noticed being done, probably deliberately, is that the size of plates are getting larger. The portion of spaghetti fits perfectly on the new, larger plate and as gradually as this is happening, I suspect people have not even realized it. Who 20 years ago, upon finishing a plate of spaghetti (even a smaller one), would have asked for seconds? It would have seemed gluttonous and unthinkable for the most part. The increase in plate size has also meant an increase in waist size. Even the once healthy bagel, now almost three times as big, becomes a caloric nightmare. Most of this information was surprising to me, as I have not noticed very much of a change since my high school days. I suspect that it has been happening gradually throughout the years, though I’m unclear why it is happening. The one place I did notice a change was at the movie theatre. Typically I have always gotten a medium or small drink, but in the last several years the size of the medium has become what a large use to be. The small is what a medium was, and the large is now almost impossible to even hold with two hands. Whoa to the person who consumes all that liquid and expects to see more than a third of the movie without running to the bathroom! The information in Portion Distortion was not only fundamentally influential and helpful, it was also interesting. I am certainly going to be paying closer attention to the portions of food when I go out to eat, and am making it a goal to eat about half to a third of what is on my plate. What is not eaten can be shared, or taken home for another meal, cutting down immensely on the number of calories. I’m also finding myself ordering small drinks rather than the medium, or even better ordering water. There is no reason we can’t eat the same, or better, as we did 20 years ago. It’s no wonder people are gaining weight, especially young people. In reviewing the Portion Distortion Assessment, I found myself asking why is this happening? Surely people haven’t been clamoring loudly to “put more food on our plates!” or “this just isn’t enough food for our family”. No, it seems this is less in response to demand (at least initially) than to something else. I honestly am not certain what it is. It seems illogical to serve “more” food and lose money on the deal. Of course, the possibility is that food companies and restaurants, in a desire to charge more and more each passing year, has felt “obligated” to provide more food and larger portions. Perhaps they think it will keep us coming back for more and spending even more still. Apparently, it has worked. The idea that we always need more is a human characteristic. More is always better . . . until you step on the bathroom scale, that is.
	__________________ Jeff Russell Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Jrussell1972

06-24-2009, 03:36 PM	#2
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Portion sizes are getting a little big. I usually eat half and take the rest home.

06-24-2009, 08:05 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That article is interesting and very true. I wish restaurants would serve normal portions for less money, instead of a mountain of food carrying a hefty calorie count and a hefty price tag. On the other hand, I hate how grocery food items have become smaller. An English muffin is so small, it gets lost in the toaster. Ice cream bars are gone in five bites. A can of coffee used to be a pound, but now it's 11 to 13 ounces. Candy bars are smaller. Anyone remember how big Snickers bars were? It's a sneaky backdoor price increase. It's an insult to consumer intelligence.