For portion control, look to the container

For portion control, look to the container

This is BS. When the fast food joint I frequent increased the size of their largest meal I just ordered the next size down & when I am full I stop eating, even when I am not done with the sandwich or onion rings.
If someone eats a larger sandwich or drinks a larger drink it is because they wanted a larger sandwich or drink. They ordered it because it was available, that is all.
This is just more "people are not responsible for their actions so we lawyers and psychiatrists can make as much jack as everyone can pay".

[glatt]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

They ordered it because it was available, that is all.

They ordered it because they didn't bother to think about what they were doing. "For only 29 cents more, you can get twice the food. Do you want that?" Most people will say yes, because it's a better value, not because they are hungry. Then they are dismayed they are getting fat.

I didn't read the article, I admit, so I can't comment on what it says. But the portions at American fast food chains are so large, and the food so unhealthy, that we are raising a country of whales. The health care costs are going up for everyone as a result. As someone who doesn't typically eat at fast food joints, I'd like it if others would eat sensibly and not raise my health insurance premiums.

[Griff]

Its funny, with all the driving I've been doing I've eaten McD's quite often lately. I've been eating the salads. Talk about huge! They are good though and being enormous they might just wean a few folks off the Mc artery clogger. I hope it isn't too late for Americans to start taking responsibility for themselves because when the Feds do it for us, we will get Katrina-ed.

So they ordered the larger portion, no one forces "them" to eat it all... one does so because they want to.
Placing the/any blame on the restaurant is just stupid.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Placing the/any blame on the restaurant is just stupid.

As is anyone who disagrees with you. Right?

The restaurant is pushing this pricing scheme because they make money on it. They don't do it for the benefit or well being of their customers. In fact, they have market research that tells them that the customers will almost always fall for it. They also have the nutritional information that tells them that what they are selling their customers is bad for their customers. They know what they are doing, and they are doing it for a profit. I think they share some of the blame.

To be clear, the customers share the lions portion of the blame for not thinking about what they are ordering.

[WabUfvot5]

Exactly. The blame lies with parents who made their kids finish everything in front of them.

AMEN brother.

[wolf]

I don't go to McDonalds for healthy eating, even if they do serve nice, crisp, tasty salads. And actually eating the recommended portion size on a food container? Who here drinks half a soda?

If the notion is externally motivated portion control, then more things should come in single serving packets.

I often drink half a soda. I don't think my wife has ever finished a full soda.
By the same token, if one does not want a large soda... don't order one, duh!

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by glatt

I think they share some of the blame.

But should you be allowed to legally force them to stop doing it?

Edit: I don't mean you you, glatt, just society/government in general.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

But should you be allowed to legally force them to stop doing it?

Good question. Probably not.

Originally Posted by glatt

As is anyone who disagrees with you. Right?

The restaurant is pushing this pricing scheme because they make money on it. They don't do it for the benefit or well being of their customers. In fact, they have market research that tells them that the customers will almost always fall for it. They also have the nutritional information that tells them that what they are selling their customers is bad for their customers. They know what they are doing, and they are doing it for a profit. I think they share some of the blame.

To be clear, the customers share the lions portion of the blame for not thinking about what they are ordering.

Disagree with me all you like.
I know there are many who feel that people are not responsible for their actions. If you are one of them, fine, enable away.
I makes no sense to me.
If you take an action, you had to have thought of it before doing it, unless you are insane.
If you eat at a fast food restaurant, you do so because that is where you want to eat, instead of somewhere more healthy.
If you order a larger sized meal, it is because you want to instead of a smaller one.
If you eat all the sandwich, it is because you wanted to finish it instead of stopping when you were half done.
It ain't hard.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Disagree with me all you like.
I know there are many who feel that people are not responsible for their actions. If you are one of them, fine, enable away.

So you think it should be legal to be a drug dealer, because the drug problem is 100% the fault of the users, and the sellers share no blame?

[Stormieweather]

I think there is some deliberate obfuscation in manufacturer's packaging that makes it harder to determine what you are eating/drinking.

Say I look at a bottle of SoBe and it says, 120 calories, 31 sugars and 32 carbs. Oh! Thats not too bad, I think I'll drink it. But in smaller print it says '"servings per container - 2.5". So, if I drink the whole thing (20 fl oz), I'm taking in 300 calories, 77.5 sugars and 80 carbs. Now your 'healthy' drink isn't looking nearly as good. Another tricky one is something like Rice A Roni...lets use Cajun Chicken as an example. It says, Calories 180, Fat .05g, Sodium 1010mg , and 6g of Protein. Then you look a little closer and realize it says in tiny letters, "As packaged". Like anyone would eat it dry, from the box!! A wee asterisk directs you to the bottom of the box where it says, "When Prepared as Directed - Calories 250, Fat 8g (!!), Sodium 40g, and 6g of Protein. Much, much different.

I use the deck of cards/tennis ball method of measuring portions. 1 serving of meat should equal the size of a deck of cards and pasta's and other carbs should be the size of a tennis ball. I simply stay away from fast food...If I wish to indulge, I'll go to a nice, well rounded buffet where I can pick and choose my sins.

Stormie

[Ibby]

At Burger King, before I stopped eating meat, I wouldn't get the 8-piece chicken, I would get the five-piece. Four of them. And king fries.

Larger portion size =/= people eating more.

People liking/wanting more food = people eating more.