Hatrack River Forum: What's with portion sizes?!

This is topic What's with portion sizes?! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

I mean it. Tonight I stopped at a local italian restaurant chain and got a chicken parm plate for takeout.

I get home and take out the container. There is enough in the supposedly one-person dinner serving to serve at LEAST three people. At LEAST.

You've got to be KIDDING me!

I'm not complaining, because this gives me two more meals [Smile]

But...do people actually consume that ENTIRE MEAL at one sitting? [Eek!]

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

My grandparents drilled the idea of always eating what was on your plate into me. I usually try to eat what I order, until I'm near death.

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

The size of restaurant portions is a major factor in the increase in obesity in the US, as well as the general unhealthiness of the food =).

I made the mistake of going to Chili's one day with a friend for lunch. I ordered batter-fried fish and got 3 eight inch pieces of fried codfish with fries. I believe it's listed as 150 grams of fat and about 1200 calories or some such (I called Chili's nutrition info number). Ew.

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

Now I don't feel so bad about leaving so much food on my plate.

Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :

That's why most weight-loss programs suggest ordering a take-out container *with* your meal, so you can put half of it off of your plate and into the container before you even start your meal.

Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :

I love those huge portions! I can spend the same amount I would on a cafeteria meal with a meal ticket in a resturant, and get enough food for three meals! and it's waaay better food!

Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :

This is what comes from living at college Toretha, I feel the same way!

Posted by Argèn†~ (Member # 4528) on :

Don't know many Italians, do you? It's a common thing for dinners to have heaping portions in Italian meals, when they can.

Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :

Well, I eat everything on a resturant portion...

Course, I need 3700 calories to maintain body weight.

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

That's because you're weird, Paulish. [Razz]

Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :

Mack, was it Buca di Beppo's by chance? I swear there's some rule that you can't go there with less than four people. They serve their food in family sized portions specifically for sharing, I guess. On the upside, a large group of people can eat there ridiculously cheap if everyone can agree on just a couple dishes.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Mangia!

Buon Apetito!

Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :

I ate at Buca for Christmas Eve dinner! My dad reserved a table for him, my sister, and Greg and I for inside the kitchen! It was awesome and for four people, not that expensive either. Copious amounts of food, though. Copious.

Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :

Isn't Buca supposed to be family style? In otherwords the servings are meant for the whole group and depending on your group size you pick something that fits those needs?

Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :

hah! I am not weird!

Erm.... yeah, thats my story, and I'm sticking with it.

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

Some quick notes I've picked up from various health sites and a brother in the food industry.

1) It is cheaper, easier, and more appreciated by the consumer, for chain restaurants to offer more food instead of better food. Look at the average size of french fries at McDonalds over the past 20 years. Bigger meals appear more generous and a better value to the consumer.

2) The #1 rule for all dieters is do not feel the need to empty your plate. As I explained it to my Aunt last week, you have a choice. The food can go to waste there on the plate, or go to your waist, their on your hips.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

I second what someone said about what Italians eat for dinner. I seriously dated a first generation Italian-American for a while. Dinner at his family's house was eye-popping. Incredibly tasty, there was enough food on the table for each course (and there were several) you could feed a small country. I *loved* eating with them, as it was all so good, but they were continually pushing food my way, I swear, to fatten me up.

I'm sure if I'd married him, I'd weigh half again as much as I do now.

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

I've had dinner with my wife's Italian family.

Easter Dinner: Ham, Lasagna, BBQ Chicken, Salsita (Italian Sausage), Fried Egg Plant, 5 different pies for desert, salad and assorted side dishes.

Her Grandmother would take several chicken breasts, hand cut the meat off of the bone, using her own special recipe seasoned breading, dip the meat into egg yolk and breading, then pan fry the chicken strips and serve them hot---for an appetizer.

I only ever learned one word of Italian from them, and I think Bob spelled it correctly. I spell it phonetically--Munja. It means EAT. That is not a request, it is an order.