Are US restaurants catering to our obesity problems!

[DawnCt1]

Everyone who said that the diner is responsible for what goes in their mouth hit the nail on the head. I just want to add that I AM GLAD that portion sizes are what they are. When I go out to dinner and pay $$$ I want to be able to bring something home. When I go to our local Italian restaurant and order eggplant, I get enough of a serving of egg plant for an entire other meal. I never eat the pasta but DS 24 does, and I always bring it home. I usually order diet coke or coffee and I am glad that there are free refills. There are no calories there and I usually pass on the bread.

 

[RitaZ.]

Each person is responsible for what they eat. Restaurants respond to consumer demand, so portion sizes have increased over the years due to our demand for more food.

I agree. The restaurant can offer anything that they want, I choose what I eat and drink. So, what if a restaurant offers free drink refills? Just because it's offered doesn't mean I should have it. Just forget the soda, drink water.

I was discussing this subject with DH the other day... When going out to lunch, some of his co-workers order foods very high in calories and fat, then to "balance it", they order a diet soda. What the heck is a diet soda supposed to do when a huge amount of fat and calories are being consumed? There is one guy that takes in lunch from home, which is a healthier alternative prepared by his wife. Well, he eats that, then he joins the group for a second lunch. His eating habits combined with a sedentary lifestyle have caused this guy's stomach to look like he is 10 months pregnant. It has gotten so bad that he developed a hernia while trying to push his son's stroller at WDW.

The restaurants aren't forcing us to consume what they serve, we make that choice. Again, just because one can doesn't mean one should.

 

[eyeoreismyhero]

I agree completely that just because we have larger portions that you don't have to eat it. I would say to that in the US today the idea of personal responbility is a non-existent item anymore. AKA YOU spill the coffee on yourself in your car and then sue Mickey D's. Obesity is a huge problem and we're not going to be able to leave it in the individuals hands to fix the problem. If that worked we wouldn't be having this discussion. That was the angle my original post came from.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree completely that just because we have larger portions that you don't have to eat it. I would say to that in the US today the idea of personal responbility is a non-existent item anymore. AKA YOU spill the coffee on yourself in your car and then sue Mickey D's. Obesity is a huge problem and we're not going to be able to leave it in the individuals hands to fix the problem. If that worked we wouldn't be having this discussion. That was the angle my original post came from.

What do you propose then? I'm firmly against the idea of trying to control what restaurants offer in any shape, form or fashion.

This is interesting. WHOSE hands would you leave the problem in?

 

[VSL]

The UK is getting just as bad.

Part of the problem, I think, is people cleaning their plates just to 'get their moneys worth'. And parents who tell their kids about the 'starving children in Africa' to try and guilt their child into cleaning their plate, even when not hungry.

 

[RitaZ.]

I would say to that in the US today the idea of personal responbility is a non-existent item anymore.

We had been in the US for two months and talked about how much weight he had gained

Based on what you say here, it appears that Americans aren't the only ones with a lack of self-control and personal responsibility.

 

[CyranoJones]

The only person responsible for what I eat is the person I see when I look in the mirror.

If you see that a restaurant is serving huge portions and you eat the whole thing anyway, you do have a problem, and not one you can blame on the restaurant.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Everyone who said that the diner is responsible for what goes in their mouth hit the nail on the head.

I agree. If there is too much food on your plate, you don't *have* to eat all of it.

If you're going to a restaurant that offers big portions, count on taking home a "doggy bag" for later. Or ask if they can bring you a half-portion if that is what you want.

A step in the right direction is that now many restaurants will have lowfat or heart smart entrees marked with an icon on their menu. If you are on a special diet, it's easier to find a healthy item on the menu than it used to be.

We were impressed that some of the kids meals at WDW came with fruit as a side instead of fries, fries, and more fries. We do wish milk could be a refillable mug beverage, but with milk being expensive, I don't see that happening soon.

In addition to the huge food portions, part of the reason that many Americans are overweight is because not that many people exercise. If you read these boards enough, you hear A LOT of complaints about how much walking there is at XYZ resort, or about older children w/o special needs requiring a stroller to get through the day. Eating well and exercising go hand-in-hand with keeping down the weight.

 

[Crankyshank]

The people ordering the diet soda might not be ordering it to balance out the calories. I can't stand the taste of non diet sodas and always order diet. My food choice has nothing to do with my beverage choice and I know many others who feel the same.

To answer the OP's question I think the food industry is a major contributor to the obesity issue because of what they are putting in the foods. As far as portion sizes, no one is forcing someone to eat the whole plate or to order greasy fried foods. DH and I are both battling weight issues and we always take home at least half of our meal on the rare occasions we eat out. In fact, I took advantage of TGI Friday's 3 for $12.99 and got 3 meals out of it (had the potstickers for dinner, half of the chicken for lunch the next day and the other half for lunch the following day)

 

[Sylvester McBean]

let's face it, we're (the USA) greedy pigs. we can get a complete meal in a drive-through for less than 4 bucks. buffets are the new way of dining out. I walked into a gas station yesterday to get a drink, and there was a self serve milkshake machine right inside the doors. servers in restaurants push appetizers at lunch...appetizers - food we eat before we eat our food. it's our own fault. I feel guilty if I can't finish my entree at a regular restaurant. but they're flippin' huge.

 

[KelNottAt]

Rhetorical question:
Does anyone think there's a viable market for a sit-down restaurant that includes "healthy portion sizes" or "your choice of portion sizes: half or whole?" I mean, Subway seems to be succeeding with the low-fat and weight management approach to its marketing.

 

[eyeoreismyhero]

Based on what you say here, it appears that Americans aren't the only ones with a lack of self-control and personal responsibility.

Correct, and why do you think this is!

 

[mrsltg]

I, too, am surprised everytime I go to WDW by the general size of people. I actually get worried for them - from the standpoint of "what is your heart having to go through to keep up?". I do agree that we have a crisis in America. I don't agree that restaurants should have to change. Often when we go out to eat DD and I share an entree with some leftover. People need to have responsibility for themselves.

Erin

 

[goodeats]

On one hand I agree that people need to be responsible for what they are consuming and their own weight. On the other hand I think this is akin to reigning in the Tobacco Industry. We, as a society, no longer allow Tobacco companies from advertising on television or within a certain radius of schools. So why are fast food restaurants (and other junk food) allowed to market to children? Why is Olive Garden allowed to give endless bowls of pasta to obese people when it's just as deadly, if not more, than cigarettes?

Personally, my DH and I don't like to go to restaurants with huge portions (usually chain restaurants). They are generally lower quality and something I could cook just as well if not better on my own. Occasionally we'll go with family and just be disgusted at the serving sizes. At WDW my sister and I shared a lot of meals. Sometimes we'd just get appetizers or brought leftovers back to the hotel. Even at the higher end restaurants (California Grill and Artist Point), I thought the portions were very large.

Working out is another part of the equation. I work at a very large company that has a subsidized gym on site ($25 per year). It's very nice, with cardio equipment, weight machines, free weights, and a full gamut of classes. With the 1,500 or so employees on site you'd think it would be packed all the time. Unfortunately, this is not the case at all.

 

[NMAmy]

Why is Olive Garden allowed to give endless bowls of pasta to obese people when it's just as deadly, if not more, than cigarettes?

I got this vision of the Olive Garden weighing people in before allowing them another bowl of pasta.

I, for one, don't want anyone else to make my decisions for me. I am perfectly able to make my own choices at meal time--people need to take responsiblity for themselves.

 

[RitaZ.]

I got this vision of the Olive Garden weighing people in before allowing them another bowl of pasta.

 

[Planogirl]

So why are fast food restaurants (and other junk food) allowed to market to children? Why is Olive Garden allowed to give endless bowls of pasta to obese people when it's just as deadly, if not more, than cigarettes?

I can see your point about marketing to children just a bit. However, the biggest culprit, McDonald's now offers fruit instead of fries and low fat milk among other healthier options. Plus their portions are very small.

As for the second comment about Olive Garden, would you really want servers to police what and how much people eat? What if you have an obese person dining with a thin person? Do you give the thin person another bowl of pasta while telling the obese person that they can't have more? The whole idea of policing what and how much people eat is distasteful at best and too much interference in people's private lives at worst.

 

[rt2dz]

I'm a big believer in personal responsibility. No one forces you to eat at certain places, to eat specific things and to eat the whole thing.

I remember there was another documentry film maker who did the same thing as the "Super Size Me" guy, but she had different rules. She had to eat everything on the menu, but if they offered an upsell, you didn't have to take it. She lost 20-30 lbs. She made healthier choices more often. She also didn't have to finish every last bite. It's all about the choices you make.

I'm trying to teach my kids healthy eating habits. Sweets, yes. All the time or every day, no. They are a treat. I also tell them to stop eating as soon as they are full--no clean plates club here. I don't offer food when they are hurt physically or emotionally. We try not to eat just because food is there. I'm trying hard to instill a love of healthy foods (fruits, veggies, etc). I don't like Ketchup or Mayo, so I've never offered it to my kids and now they hate it too. Same with sour cream and guacamole.

Before healthy choices were available on kids menus, DH and I would order DS the chicken fingers, but could we have that grilled? And instead of the fries could we have a vegtable instead? Food runners used to be shocked when they saw our healthy kids meal. My kids are at least 2 before they ever have chicken nuggets or a hamburger. And again, this is an occasional treat. They get grilled cheese sandwiches instead--gotta love Sonic.

Vacation is major junk food time, but by the end of the week, everyone wants healthy food only. The thought of fries or a milk shake/ice cream just makes everyone sick. But, hey, we only vacation twice a year and even then it isn't ALWAYS junk.

It took me a long time to overcome all my bad eating habits. DH is still working on it. But it is all about the choices each individual makes. You can order the healthier meal, eat a smaller portion or you can find the most fattening thing on the menu and eat until it is gone.

 

[RitaZ.]

Correct, and why do you think this is!

Let me guess... The restaurants are at fault for tempting us by serving too much food? Sorry, I disagree.

I would love to sit here right now with a super-sized tub of Haggen Dazs chocolate ice cream, heck I'll settle for a pint... If I gave in into every craving and yummy food that I see, I would be in serious trouble. That's not to say that I deprive myself, I don't. I don't expect anyone to oversee my eating habits, they are my own to control.

 

[blueroses]

On one hand I agree that people need to be responsible for what they are consuming and their own weight. On the other hand I think this is akin to reigning in the Tobacco Industry. We, as a society, no longer allow Tobacco companies from advertising on television or within a certain radius of schools. So why are fast food restaurants (and other junk food) allowed to market to children? Why is Olive Garden allowed to give endless bowls of pasta to obese people when it's just as deadly, if not more, than cigarettes?

The problem with equating food (fast or chain restaurant or whatever) to the tobacco industry or even the alcohol industry is that a person can completely abstain from tobacco or alcohol, but one can't just give up food. It's tricky.

Like I said in previous post, I work with people who have weight issues and you would be surprised how little people know about how many calories they are taking in. Like the person who gets the venti mocha from Starbucks every afternoon who is completely surprised that it is 500 calories! Or the person who thinks just because that smoothie from Jamba Juice looks healthy it doesn't have 700 calories in it. Add to that the fact that a sedentary person needs no more than 2000 calories a day (and many need only 1500 or so) and bingo - there's your obesity epidemic.

I don't which came first, big portions or the increasing weight of Americans, but there should be some form of corporate responsibility from the restaurant industry. I think the healthy choices that McDonald's has added to its menus have only come in response to criticism, not from the goodness of their hearts. If you want to see restaurants offer more choices, contact them or don't eat there. The success of Super Size me at least proves the every once in a while the little guy can make a difference.

For my part, I don't eat fast food (and didn't even before I knew how bad it was for you because I just don't think it tastes good). Same goes for the chain restaurants (Friday's, Applebee's, etc.) - why waste my time and money on mediocre food?

I think I have started rambling now so I'll stop.