Portion sizes -- US v. UK

oh yeah, i don't trust myself with ice cream-it's either a single serving predone (like a bar or cone) or the entire 5 servings.  :/

oh yeah, i don't trust myself with ice cream-it's either a single serving predone (like a bar or cone) or the entire 5 servings.  :/

Me three. No willpower at all if an entire container of something is in front of me. 

Well, I don't have much to contribute to this thread because 1)my mother cooked every single day of my life and we very seldom went out, 2)as a result when I grew up, I resented eating out because I figured I could make better tasting food cheaper at home and 3)now that my DH and I are vegan, it's hard to find anyplace where we can even get something nice...plus why go out and pay £10 for a plate of 33p chickpeas!! LOL

Having said all that, I think portions are bigger in the US, but they are steadily getting bigger over here, and any finger-pointing at Americans is like the pot calling the kettle black. We need to show some restraint at table and move our lazy butts more on BOTH sides of the pond!

, and any finger-pointing at Americans is like the pot calling the kettle black. We need to show some restraint at table and move our lazy butts more on BOTH sides of the pond!

My BIL  does that..and he is SSO wrong  and I point it out to him  all the time..  I agree with all that is being said about portion sizes..but  maybe because i  was  one of those families where  food was the center of all our gatherings.. it bothers  me  when you go to UK homes  and  you leave  still hungry..   It was  always the sign of a good host  to make sure people got enough.. and if you as the host had  leftovers  that  was good..  here,   I am almost afraid to  take any because it will run out.. and  my husband  comes from the clean plate club.. he'll eat  anything that is left.. I told him it is OK  to have  leftovers..  but an expat  gave me sound advice.. eat at home first  or pack a  lunch for the long drive  if I have one..     

When I have UK ppl over then and cook - they're going to find me weird. I come from the "leftovers" club too. My mom always has something leftover and makes sure that everyone is satisfied - then offers dessert 

My BIL  does that..and he is SSO wrong  and I point it out to him  all the time..  I agree with all that is being said about portion sizes..but  maybe because i  was  one of those families where  food was the center of all our gatherings.. it bothers  me  when you go to UK homes  and  you leave  still hungry..   It was  always the sign of a good host  to make sure people got enough.. and if you as the host had  leftovers  that  was good..  here,   I am almost afraid to  take any because it will run out.. and  my husband  comes from the clean plate club.. he'll eat  anything that is left.. I told him it is OK  to have  leftovers..  but an expat  gave me sound advice.. eat at home first  or pack a  lunch for the long drive  if I have one..     

I only went to one dinner at a friend's house when I was there, and never ate so much!!!  But I think she and her husband were a bit nervous about "the American" coming to dinner and made all sorts of courses.  It honestly was one of the best meals I've ever had.  Roast duck to die for!!!!!

But I may have experienced the odd occasion with so much food.  Who knows.

~Liza

When I have UK ppl over then and cook - they're going to find me weird. I come from the "leftovers" club too. My mom always has something leftover and makes sure that everyone is satisfied - then offers dessert 

No, don't worry, they'll love you for being so generous. I am hoping Azroomie has just had a one-off bad experience(?)

As a Brit I would be mortified if anyone left my home hungry or wasn't comfortable enough to accept any seconds offered or not able to say "ooh can I have another.....xxxxxx ".  I have never left anywhere hungry either.

My mom was from the era when you cleaned your plates...and she always had a baked item either cake or pie or something.....

she cooked home made food everday and you weren't a proper wife if you didn't give a decent meal....

It has taken me a long time to realise you can leave food on your plate and it be ok.....It took me awhile to get out of the habit of the way I cooked in the USA......the size of steaks and things there..........

I agree with everyone........OMG the portion sizes in the USA.......we went to a Western Sizzler and had a all you can eat.........I used to be able to keep up with my friends there.......no way now......the amount of times ppl were going back.........it was a all you can eat seafood buffet.......it was David's kids first time to the USA they loved the free refills.......

I don't think portion sizes matter, as long as you realize that you are not expected to eat everything on your plate all at once. I think problems happen when parents worry if their children don't eat all the food on their plates. I think that when children are conditioned to eat everything they see in front of them, regardless of whether they are physically hungry, they eventually lose the ability to sense true physical hunger.*

This never happened with me because I was always a fussy eater as a child; my parents were happy for me to eat anything at all, let alone finish my plate. I've always found that being encouraged to eat something when you're not hungry just makes the food more unappetizing.

I usually can't finish a large British or American meal. Anyway, if I eat past my "full point", I wind up getting sick,  which means that in the end, I've digested less than I would have if I'd eaten less in the first place.


* In Psychology 1  in University, we learned that there are 4 things that make you want to eat:

1. Low blood sugar
2. Low level of nutrients in the cells
3. Empty stomach
4. Sensing food (e.g. seeing or smelling it).

Overweight people are more likely to respond to reason #4 than to the other reasons.




Note: cross-posted with MeShell

Is it me or is it not only the portion sizes that pack on the pounds, but also the amount of sodium/preservatives in the food in the US that makes you gain weight?  EVERYTHING tastes saltier to me here in the States.

My dieting has been greatly hindered by a bad habit I picked up in the UK, though -- eating chips with pizza!  I know I should be pairing pizza or lasagne with a nice tossed salad but eating them with chips is just so INOXICATING!  *drool* Carb overload!

I had an email from a friend about MSG in fast food. That is makes you feel full and then after it wears off you feel hungry again...also msg in chinese food or any other food can trigger miagranes......it was a really interesting email and really made you think about food in general!

What do you think would happen if US restaurants started serving "normal"-sized portions? 

I noticed when I first came to the UK that a Small at Mc D's was the size given in the kids Happy Mean in the states and that the Large was the same as a small in many places here as well. 
I agree the portion is out of control.  I for one havelittle will power to not eat it if it is there.  American's are so use to the SUPER SIZE of things (food portions, big gulps, houses, cars, roads, egos, and hair here in the south  , that I believe it would set off a revolution.  I do not think people would go for it and would hire a super sized lawyer and seek a super sized settlement that they did not receive enough fries in their extra value meal.

I noticed when I first came to the UK that a Small at Mc D's was the size given in the kids Happy Mean in the states and that the Large was the same as a small in many places here as well. 
I agree the portion is out of control.  I for one havelittle will power to not eat it if it is there.  American's are so use to the SUPER SIZE of things (food portions, big gulps, houses, cars, roads, egos, and hair here in the south  , that I believe it would set off a revolution.  I do not think people would go for it and would hire a super sized lawyer and seek a super sized settlement that they did not receive enough fries in their extra value meal.

So do you think that  "Supersize Me"  had much impact in the U.S?

My mom was from the era when you cleaned your plates...and she always had a baked item either cake or pie or something.....

Me too -- which, I think, is partly to blame for my being fat. I wasn't allowed dessert until I'd finished everything on my plate. Of course, I had to help myself to food, so if I took too much I guess it was my own fault. But having that reward of dessert hanging over me really made me eat a lot of stuff that I otherwise would have left on my plate!

So do you think that  "Supersize Me"  had much impact in the U.S?

Ya know I don't think it did! It is funny but my mother and I just had a conversation a few hours ago about how (I BELIEVE) MOST American's have this "I DON"T CARE" attitude about EVERYTHING.  I mean they just don't get it.  Look for example at the link between the guy nominated for Suprime Court.  Here is a guy who was the lead leagal consult to the Bush election committee, giving legal advice in Fla. during the Bush v. Gore case when G. Bush and his brother rigged (oops I mean) when Bush won the election.  I think that the sad reality is (my opinion) is that the average American could care less about much of anything as long as they are not directly effected and as long as they get what they want.  To hell with fellow man in general is the attitude.