Someone brought this up in another thread and I just wanted to discuss it further. I've really noticed the HUGE portion sizes when eating out. Even if you order a salad it is more than one could possibly eat! Is this just America, or is it the same in other countries? And if the USA is so concerned about our obesity rate, you would think they would do something about it. Granted, you don't have to eat it all, but it immediately puts the temptation there for people to start having weight issues.

I don't know where or when it started (many would blame McDonalds, but I'm sure the trend started well before them), but it's incredible, isn't it?

I think it has to do with people feeling they're getting more value for their money. I remember an old ad for KFC (when they were still called Kentucy Fried Chicken) that touted that you could get "More Cluck for yer Buck!"

I still think that's a great ad line, even if it's politically incorrect!

We like big in the US anyway. Big houses. Big cars. Big shopping malls. But not big people. Go figure!

Yeah, it's definitely a "more value for your buck" strategy. When I was doing Atkins I would ask them not to bring the potato, etc. and the plate often looked bare with out all the sides and cheap carb fillers. It's all too easy to take "one more bite" when it's all sitting right there.

Don't travel enough to know but I've heard portion sizes are more reasonable at other places. Any globetrotters out there?

I agree! My favorite salad at Bob Evans (that I have nicknamed "the orgasm salad"... but I digress...) has over half of my alloted daily WW points in it. It is huge! It's gotten to where if I don't get a big honkin' plate of food when we go out that I feel ripped off. Maybe the big portions are just a way to hold onto customers. I can't see any restaurant bucking the trend and announcing that they are going to make their portions smaller. That would be business suicide.

I noticed it also big portions everywhere you go, its as if they want up so to be over weight. I think it's just in USA. I was thinking that it could of started with Mc D's super size portions but, people also was complaining that the portions was to small for the amount people was paying so thats why the portions sizes at alot of places has changed to super sizes. I noticed since I am trying to eat smaller portions when I go out and lets say get a salad I find myself making it smaller never did that before. I guess we can learn from this portion experience. But, at some places you can ask for smaller portions or get the JR. But, I noticed this portions stuff also. It's more then we can hangle.

I'm not sure whether we're quite as bad as the US, I did put a fair amount of weight on when I studied out there, but that was (eek!) 8 years ago now, so I can't remember exactly how much I ate...

But it always winds me up when I'm with my grandparents and we go to eat at a place they like. My grandfather's choice of dessert is based solely on portion size rather than what he actually likes. When I chose something last time he actually said to me "you don't get a big slice of that, you know". I felt like pointing out that I didn't get where I am now by going for the biggest slice every time!!!

I will admit though, sometimes I do feel "cheated" if I order something and it's smaller than someone else's portion that was the same price. Even if it's something that I'd rather eat, and I know that it is better for me, I wonder why I have to pay the same and get less. I'd much rather pay less for smaller portions all round - but then I guess that would hit their profits!

I think the portion sizes in Canada are way too big as well. Me and DH have actually stopped going to certain restaurants because they decreased the portion sizes (but not the amount they charge). If I can get essentially the same dish at two differnt restaurants for the same price and one place has a much bigger serving size, I'll go there. I'd rather take the leftovers home and have lunches for a couple of days than pay the same amount at another restaurant for a smaller portion.

~Dee

I know what you mean even about the salads. Kimberley and I always split meals now. We went to Smokey Bones the other week and split an entree and ordered two salads. Ended up we could have split the salad too. They were huge. A good idea if you are by yourself and can't split with someone is to order a to go box when you order your meal. That way you can take half off your plate right away.

One of the things I find funny is places like Cheesecake Factory that want you to eat dessert, yet their meals are so huge that there is no way you would still have any room left. What kind of marketing strategy is that?

I definitely take note of smaller independent restaurants that serve sane portions and it is one of the reasons I will choose a place. Portion control is also the reason I love compartmentalized food such as tapas, sushi or dim sum - you can order smaller amounts, and then gauge whether you still want something else and order more.

When I we go out, I guess I don't feel so bad about the money I have spent when I bring 1/2 of it home and get a second meal out of it. I can usually feel that full "switch" flip and even if I wanted to, can not finish the portion all in one sitting. (Why can't I feel that switch when cookies and chocolate are involved? )

My husband and I have sometimes done what Howie and Kimberly have done and split things ~ that works out pretty good.

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to New York City is that the portion sizes in restaurants (well, except the chain ones!) are MUCH, MUCH, MUCH smaller than the ones in my hometown. At first it seemed odd to pay more for less food, but I've come to believe that a smaller portion of something very tasty, made with fresh ingredients, is much more satisfying than a huge plate of something mediocre.

The last time I was on the road, I went to Applebee's and was appalled by the "salad" I ordered. I ordered the HALF SIZE, but it was still in one of those huge bowls, with a smattering of flavorless, nutrientless iceberg lettuce drowning in dressing, guacamole, and cheese. It was barely edible!

Howie, hubby and I have taken to splitting a lot of food as well. It's definitely much less temptation, because if it's there, I tend to want to eat it! I have a feeling that despite the lifestyle changes, I'm always going to have to fight that impulse...

I suppose on the flip side of this is the good news that some places, like Ruby Tuesdays, are starting to offer Atkins menus, etc. Though I am not following their plan, at least I know it should be a reasonable meal if I order it. I tend to favor places that have salad bars as I love to fix my own and be able to chose what I want to put on it (after all, the food is going to my hips, so I should be able to pick what it is ).

Even with places like McDonalds, which I don't even like on a "fat day", offering fruit salads, I can't seem to want to bother to get diet food at a fast food joint.

My hubby is originally from England, and though he was a big guy when he moved here (he has big bone structure like his mother) he has packed on the pounds since arriving almost eight years ago. His mother says that there are so many more choices for him here as far as what to eat, and so much of it not good for him.

I actually kind of resent the fact that places have gone to serving these huge salads. It used to be that ordering a salad was safe, but that isn't the case anymore.

When my boyfriend and I first went to the restaurants on base he was amazed at the size of our food. (FYI.....I live in Korea and he is Korean.) He had never seen plates so big or portions so large. He even asked if the plate they gave him was for the two people. He would exclaim "SO BIG!!!"

Now we order basically one meal for the both of us and split it. I actually am satisfied with the meal.

As for the concept of doggie bags? He had never heard of it until he went to a base restaurant. He could not believe the food that was left over could be take home.

The off base international restaurants serve what I assume is a normal size portion. I find it being just rigth as far eating but in my mind sometimes I hear a voice beginning to complain that "I paid for this small portion!?" and "Wow is this going to fill me up for my money?"

One more note....he has gained about 10 pounds since he first started dating me. Most of my Korean friends who visit the states for the summer months complain about the weight gain in the summer of at least 7 - 10 pounds.

Has anyone ever tried this? Go to a restaurant with another person and just order one meal with 2 plates? Would you get kicked out, I wonder?

It would have to be a friend whose tastes jibe with yours, but I wonder how restaurants would react? I'm sure, if the tip was good, the wait staff wouldn't care. They might even like it (less work!). I wonder how management would react?

Has anyone ever tried it? I'm tempted!

Lena: My partner and I do that sometimes! And no, they wont kick you out! LOL

You can also ask them to box halp of your meal before it is even brought to the table.