Restaurants may start serving smaller portions

[Miss Mary]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 411/-1/all

It's about time I say! I can barely finish 1/2 to 2/3 of my meals when dining out. Olive Garden is notorious for serving huge portions. I politely ask for a doggie bag, out of guilt really and then the next day I often do not feel like eating the same thing I had for dinner the night before. I also ask for lunch size portions instead of dinner size if that's available. I've had a few waiters sigh, b/c in the end they're getting less in tips. But at least my bathroom scale appreciates the smaller portion!

My mom has an antique blue and white set of dishes. The dinner plate size says it all - it's slightly bigger than the salad plate our current set of everyday dishes comes with.

People really did eat less back then and were probably healthier for it too.

Comments....thoughts?

Mary

[Janice]

Yes, and when you leave food, you still have to pay the full price. So, basically you eat all cause you paid for it.

I am all in favor of smaller plates. They will probably still charge the full rate tho.

At least with a smaller plate, there is more room for dessert...


But, what about buffets? That is where you really chow down. I usually get a plate for salad and another for the meal.

[TexasStooge]

But, what about buffets? That is where you really chow down. I usually get a plate for salad and another for the meal.

I don't think they'll tackle buffets, just the entrees. Then again, it does't matter how much I eat, it's how much of it I burn off while exercising.

[HollynLA]

Oh come on, it's not the restaurants job to make sure you don't overeat. It's personal responsibility to atleast know when you are full. If someone continues to eat beyond that, then so be it, but food service facilities should not have to police portions by holding back. Some restaurants do serve enormous portions of food, some don't. Usually, I will share a dinner with my children or take it home. If you don't like the large portions of a particular restaurant, you can always choose another place to eat.

Sorry if I am ranting, I'm just so tired of others deciding what's right for me and other free citizens.

[Aslkahuna]

My dog would definitely not appreciate the phasing out of doggie bags.

Steve

[brunota2003]

I will not appreciate if restaurants downsize...I have a stomach to feed...and most places don't even fill me up. I'm not fat...but can most definetly eat!!! Two hollow endless legs and a stomach...anyways...if you can't finsh the plate then maybe you need to get a smaller meal??? Its not the food places job to make sure you stop as soon as your full...IMHO of course...

[alicia-w]

government interference in restaurant portions????? come on, folks! learn to push yourself away from the table, whether at home or dining out. there needs to be some personal accountability! no one's being chained to a table and force fed....

[Janice]

This is where the ala carte restuarants come in handy. I like them. Just order the sides you want without ordering a whole meal. I try to stay away from buffets. Too tempting.

[HollynLA]

I wanted to add that my family doesn't eat out too often. Normally at home, we eat well balanced meals that are home cooked and it always includes veggies/salads. When we decide to treat ourselves to a restaurant, I want to be pampered and indulged. Getting puny portions of low calorie crap is for the birds. It's not something we do often, so I eat what I want. Ordering a la carte is good if you don't want the usual sides but most restaurants will allow you to order without sides and order seperate ones.

[george_r_1961]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/BIZ/606030411/-1/all

It's about time I say! I can barely finish 1/2 to 2/3 of my meals when dining out. Olive Garden is notorious for serving huge portions. I politely ask for a doggie bag, out of guilt really and then the next day I often do not feel like eating the same thing I had for dinner the night before. I also ask for lunch size portions instead of dinner size if that's available. I've had a few waiters sigh, b/c in the end they're getting less in tips. But at least my bathroom scale appreciates the smaller portion!

My mom has an antique blue and white set of dishes. The dinner plate size says it all - it's slightly bigger than the salad plate our current set of everyday dishes comes with.

People really did eat less back then and were probably healthier for it too.

Comments....thoughts?

Mary

Mary I agree about the Olive Garden. There was a time when I could polish the plate off but these days are long gone. I guess this is a good thing since I need to keep my weight down.

Alicia I agree with you. There are many safe ways to control how much you eat that work for most people. I started eating more veggies (love my corn can eat a whole can ). Also I drink lots of clear liquids which tends to suppress my appetite a little. Went from 205-210 pounds last spring to about 165..a good weight for a man 5'7''.

As far as the government interfering with food portions in eateries, I will say this and this only so this doesnt turn political: They should concentrate more on eradicating drug abuse.

[rainstorm]

doesnt the govt have better things to do? leave restaurants and portions alone. its getting tiresome blaming everyone but the individual for being fat.

here is a really great idea. if you think there is too much to eat on your plate, dont eat it all!!!

[TexasStooge]

Whatever happen to "whatever you don't eat, you can take home in a doggy bag" statement?

Back then, customers were filing frivolous lawsuits on McDonalds, because they claim to make them or their kids fat. Well, if they would've just exercise daily and eat right, they wouldn't have that problem.

[azskyman]

My wife and I sometimes share meals...with an occasional $$$ premium for splitting a meal in two. There are actually some places where we order a half order, split it, and then have enough for another split meal to take home.

It's fun to get a plate full of something good though...even if you don't eat it all. Around these parts, Cheesecake Factory, Maggianos, and Claim Jumpers are all known for the very hefty portions.

Smaller works for me.

But keep the doggie bag option.

[Janice]

John and I never eat out unless traveling. I have eaten out so much, all the food started tasting alike and I think you can cook better at home. We eat a ton of fresh veggies at meals, we eat no canned. They boil the heck out of canned veggies and they sit saturated in the packing juice, yuck. Steaming and sauting veggies can't be beat. We are down to half portions of meat and potatoes and try to fill half our plates with veggies.

You eat the way you choose.

[conestogo_flood]

In the USA all your restaurants and fast food joints serve more food than Canadian. Did you know that a medium soft drink in the States is a large here? Anywho, it might sound ridiculous but it's true. There is a saying here in Canada, "everything is bigger in the USA".

[Miss Mary]

In the USA all your restaurants and fast food joints serve more food than Canadian. Did you know that a medium soft drink in the States is a large here? Anywho, it might sound ridiculous but it's true. There is a saying here in Canada, "everything is bigger in the USA".

I remember when soda drinks went from small to medium. If I wanted a small Pepsi still, I had to ask for a kiddie size drink! This might have been the beginning of the larger sized fast food items - biggie fries, triple burgers, etc. I think Burger King has 2 fish sandwich sizes even. If I accidentally order the larger one, I can't finish it. Too much food.

We vacationed twice in Canada (mid 90s) and I had to laugh at your saying. We loved Canada!

Mary