Portion DistortionPictures from The Portion Distortion Quiz,

the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (USA)

Over the past few decades, portion sizes of everything from muffins to sandwiches have grown considerably.

What sort of effect do you think increased portion sizes has had on

-The amount of food we eat?

-Our body weight?

-Our view of a “normal” meal or snack?

-The amount we’re willing to pay for food?

Pizza

Twenty years ago            Today

500 calories                           850 calories                                 

Coffee

Twenty years ago                        Today

Coffee with milk and sugar        Grande café mocha with whip, 2%

milk

8 ounces                                        16 ounces

45 calories                                              330 calories

Popcorn

Twenty Years Ago                     Today

5 cups                                      Tub

270 calories                                    630 calories

Bagels

Twenty Years Ago                      Today

3-inch diameter                          5-6-inch diameter

140 calories                                       350 calories

Cheeseburgers

Twenty years ago                       Today’s Burger

333 calories                                     590 calories

Fries

20 years ago Now

2.4 ounces 6.9 ounces

210 calories 610 ounces

Pasta Dinner

20 Years ago Now

1 cup pasta & sauce 2 cups pasta & sauce,

3 small meatballs 3 large meatballs

500 calories 1025 calories

Muffins

20 years ago Now

1.5oz 4 ounces

210 calories 500 calories

Soda

8-ounce bottle 12 ounce can 20-ounce bottle

97 calories                       145 calories              250 calories

Prices

32 ounces     44 ounces       64 ounces

388 calories     533 calories    776 calories$0.99           $1.09              $1.19 

(U.S. Prices)

Which one would you choose?

Why?-

What sort of effect does this have

nutritionally?-

How can you avoid

overeating and

overdrinking?