You’ve probably heard that portions have gotten bigger over the years, but do you know how much bigger? Check out some of these popular foods and see how different things were 20 years ago than they are now.
20 years ago: a bagel was three inches in diameter and had 140 calories.
Today’s portion: six inches and 350 calories.
20 years ago: a cheeseburger had 333 calories.
Today’s portion: 590 calories.
20 years ago: a portion of spaghetti and meatballs used to have 500 calories.
Today’s portion: 1,025 calories. This includes two cups of pasta with sauce and three large meatballs.
20 years ago: French fries were 2.4 ounces and 210 calories.
Today’s portion: 6.9-ounces with 610 calories.
20 years ago: a turkey sandwich had 320 calories.
Today’s portion: a 10-inch turkey sandwich has 820 calories.
Even though I know portions are bigger, actually seeing these examples – which by the way, are from the National Institutes of Health – really brings it home. No wonder obesity rates are so out of control in this country.
Did any of these portions surprise you?
I feel like you, Sahar, that the food supply is THE biggest source of problems leading to obesity. The trough must be downsized if any change is going to happen.
Dr. J – it’s so out of control that the humongous portions seem normal for many people.
Amazing! I try to stick to kiddie or “junior” menus whenever the “full-size” portions look too big. The fries, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint) are on the “never” list.
Portions are insane these days! Just today at lunch I had an albacore wrap. Since I’m being more conscious of my calories these days, I thought wow this is huge! I’ll eat 1/2 now w/some fruit and the other 1/2 in 3-4 hours! Sheesh!
Never, Cammy???
Naomi – They are out of control, aren’t they? Good for you for only eating half.
Funny that while portion sizes continue to increase, clothing sizes decrease. Soon, women everywhere will be able to wear a size 8 (US) and still eat that turkey sandwich for lunch every day!
I agree that foods have really gone into huge proportions!
My suggestion is that if you are served portions that are too big, try spitting it with a friend or two! I almost always split desserts and entrees with my sister or mother if we go out to eat dinner.
sorry for the double post…
I meat to try to split it (i accidentally wrote spit)
[...] January 20th, 2010 Posted by FatFighter in Counting Calories, Food & Nutrition, Fun Factor The first post we brought you about the explosion in portion sizes was such a hit, we went back for seconds. Check out some of these popular foods and see how much [...]
[...] first helping of explosions in portion sizes wasn’t quite enough, so we went back for seconds. Now, here’s a third round. Check out [...]