“We’re getting so used to eating out and used to restaurants’ portion sizes.  We’re getting a distorted view of what potion sizes are.  We’re not likely to make a distinction between restaurant sizes and real sizes when going home.”  Lisa Drayer

When did you last think about how much food was on your plate?  How has your portion sizes changed in the past five years?

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.  (Prov. 23:1-2; NIV)

No doubt you can tell where this Daily Gram is headed from the pearl, question and scripture.  For those of you who are old enough to remember back even twenty years ago, think about how much food was served in a restaurant then.  If you have any older dishes in your cupboards, look at the size of the plates compared to plates one buys today.  Or remember juice glasses?  They were little glasses that held about 4 ounces of (usually) freshly squeezed juice. 

Most everyone has noticed that food portions in restaurants have gotten larger. Some portions are called “super size,” while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. Along with this growth in portion sizes have come increases in waistlines and body weight.

Some interesting tidbits to ponder are that twenty years ago a regular bagel was about three inches in diameter and had about 140 calories. Today, you’re more likely to find a six-inch bagel with about 350 calories.  A turkey sandwich on regular bread at a typical diner twenty years ago had about 320 calories. Today, you’re more likely to find a 10-inch turkey submarine sandwich with all the trimmings — and a whopping 820 calories.

Here are some further statistics from a study of how food portion sizes have increased ten-fold over the past 30 years.  Pasta is almost 500% larger, the average muffin 333% larger, hamburgers 112%, steaks 224%, bagels 195% and chocolate chip cookies 700% larger!  Did you have any idea?  A second study revealed that portion sizes ballooned with an increase in calories by as much as 133 per serving between 1977 and 1996, mirroring the country’s rise in obesity rates. The average number of calories in a cheeseburger increased from 397 calories in 1977 to 533 in 1996.

Okay, so what can you do to offset what seems like a conspiracy to make you fat?  Begin by looking at your portion sizes at home.  Use a smaller plate and make a choice to not go for seconds.  Eat slowly, putting your fork down between bites.  A healthful portion of meat is about the size of a deck of cards or the size of your palm.  Three ounces of grilled or baked fish is about the size of a checkbook.

I look at many facets of health when working with clients.  If someone is consistently exercising (and working up a sweat), drinking adequate water, eating low glycemic and God-foods, and taking the correct supplementation, yet still having challenges shedding excess pounds, then we take a serious look at portion sizes.  Often times that is the key in getting over the hurdle.

Prayer Power
Father, thank You for giving us wisdom to know how much food we should be eating and for giving us grace to know when to stop.

Link of the Day
Portion Size, Then and Now

Blessings on you as you become more conscious about your portion sizes.