Portion Control Today – How Different Were Food Portion Sizes 20 years Ago?
Have you ever wondered why hamburgers, French fries, fried chicken, pizza, and cheesecake are these so much worse for us now than they have been in past years? After all they have been around for a long time. Why do they appear to do more damage and why is the concept of food portion control becoming so important to us?
The answer to this question is related to the general health of our nation. The inclusion of these foods in our diet certainly is impacting on our lives. Obesity in the United States has just become a national epidemic in the past 20 years. Children are not exempt from this catastrophic obesity epidemic in our country. Childhood obesity continues to escalate in all socio-economic populations as children’s understanding of food portion sizes has been determined and controlled by large international food organizations. The marketing departments of these organizations increase the portion sizes of comparatively inexpensive food to increase their sales.
According to registered dietician, Dr Lisa Young, also an MSNBC reporting contributor, ‘When McDonald’s first opened, a soda was 7 ounces. Today, the child size is 12 ounces, a small is 16 ounces, and the large 32 ounces.’
So it’s not the inclusion of these foods in our diet today that is the real problem. Its how much of these foods we consume that’s at the heart of our health crisis. When you compare food portions 20 years ago with today’s extra generous super sized servings it helps to give some idea of the cause of the obesity epidemic in our country. Take a look at the change in caloric intake in foods today compared to 20 years ago below. You’ll be amazed at how different they are and understand how we need something as helpful as portion control to keep a today.
Food Portions Today Compared to 20 Years Ago
Information Source: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
|
Food Item |
Calories 1989 |
Calories Today |
Calories Increase |
|
Spaghetti and Meatballs |
500 |
1,025 |
525 |
|
Cheeseburger |
333 |
590 |
257 |
|
Soda |
85 |
250 |
165 |
|
Turkey Sandwich |
320 |
820 |
500 |
|
Bagel |
140 |
350 |
210 |
|
Pizza |
500 |
850 |
350 |
|
Caesar Salad |
390 |
790 |
400 |
|
Cheesecake |
260 |
640 |
380 |
|
Cookie |
55 |
275 |
220 |
|
French Fries |
210 |
610 |
400 |
|
Pizza |
500 |
850 |
350 |
So what can we make from these figures? The outcome is clear. The result is obvious. We are consistently and unwittingly consuming more food than we need. As we do this, we regularly stretch the size of our stomachs and condition our bodies to feel hungry when we should not feel this way. The more we eat like this the greater the likelihood that we will gain weight and the more calories we need to use to burn off excess and unwanted fat. Our desire for oversized food portions of have overpowered our good intentions to exercise more or get fitter.
How can we avoid becoming a victim of mega sized eating?
- Don’t be seduced by extra large size meals for only 39cents more! Decide how much food you need and only eat that much
- Find out what size portions of different foods is right for you so you can eat the correct amount of everything you enjoy without gaining weight
- Learn how portion control eating habits will help you do this as a way of life, and avoid overnight fad diets that generally don’t last much longer than that.
Reclaim Your Health. Start today.
You Can Do It!
Warm Regards
Rowena French
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For The Team @MightyDigitalDownloads.com
Rowena French uses responsible portion control to successfully manage her own weight and her family’s health. Tired of dieting without success? Sign up to my free magazine to learn more about how to use portion control for healthy, permanent weight loss. If you haven’t already subscribed to my free product sample, watch my preview video for more information about the whole portion control package.
Tags: portion control, portions


