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The single biggest factor that prompts people into overeating is portion size, and when more and more meals are eaten outside of the home, it is restaurant portion size that can cause a problem. Not only are the portions often huge, but they set a benchmark that distorts what people perceive as an appropriate amount of food.
An obesity researcher at Penn State University had 300 chefs from fine and casual dining restaurants take a survey that asked what things influence what size they make their portions. 4 out or 5 served more than the recommended portion sizes. 70% said that presentation was the biggest concern, getting a "wow" factor into the dining experience that might cause a customer to return. Value and portion size are often connected in the minds of the consumers, so larger servings come into play more than the actual plating. 65% said that cost influenced how much food they served, and 52% cited "expectations, which was primarily true of chain-restaurants and categories (like steakhouses, for example) that are known for being generous. Only 16% considered calories.
Chefs are not necessarily dieticians and their job is not to tell you what to eat or how much of you plate to clean before taking the rest home. It does make you wonder, however, if our priorities and theirs are in the right place when a 1-pound "serving" of pasta starts to look normal.
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10-23-2006 @11:53AM twap said... hey, large meals were pointed out long ago, in the "Double size" movie... I hate this practice!
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10-23-2006 @5:14PM Hawk said... I feel like I've known this intuitively for a long time. Why would you buy just a normal cheeseburger combo when you can SUPERMAXIKINGBIGGIE size it for just less than a dollar more!?!
Why buy a 6-pack of mike's when you can get a 24 pack for just 20 bux at Sam's!
People like value. 'Wow, i'm getting all this? Cool!" ... how else do you think infomercials work? "Act now and get 12 other things free!"
Me to guy in charge of market research for UM dining: "uhm, don't you realize that letting college students eat all they want will make them fat?" Him: "Too bad, we have to keep them eating so we make money." (that's paraphrased.)
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10-23-2006 @1:37PM Peter said... I can only imagine the complaining if the opposite took place. "$25 for that tiny entree! I'm still hungry."
No one is forcing you to clean your plate. If it's more than you can eat at one sitting take it home.
Stop making everyone out to be the victim. Take a little responsibility for yourself.
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10-23-2006 @8:15PM Sophie said... I agree with Peter although bad habits are easy to take and before you even realize it, you eat more and more and your stomach grows along. When i first came to the states 4 years ago from france I was amazed with the big portions and couldn't eat even half of the plate. now, if i don't pay attention, i will eat it all. that is how I gained weight and that is now how i am in the process to lose weight, just by forcing myself to eat only half of the portion.
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10-23-2006 @3:24PM Spitzmaus said... Peter and I are simpatico on this; the issue is most certainly one of personal responsibility. As adults, we can opt out of our "Clean Plate Membership" and make conscious choices, however scary that might seem to some.
When I'm served an oversized portion at a restaurant, I immediately think of leftovers for the next day's lunch, perhaps a snack or two, or part of a clean-out-the-fridge dinner. More value for the money, no food going to "waist".
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12-03-2006 @12:49PM Andrea said... I agree totally on taking personal responsibility. Those oversized servings are great for making two meals of it. Besides, with the prices being paid why not let it suffice as a '2 for 1'. Oh, I scringe when I hear a customer order a 'supersized' meal and then..........an extra order of nuggets or something!! :-) When the cashier offers a supersized meal to me, I laugh and ask, "now, why do you want to supersize me?".
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