Meal Super Sizing Explodes in U.S.
One study found that, since the late 1970s, portion sizes in the home and restaurants have increased. The serving size of an average soft drink, for instance, increased in that time from 13 ounces and 144 calories to nearly 20 fluid ounces and 193 calories.
The average cheeseburger also grew from 5.8 ounces to 7.3 ounces, swelling from 397 to 533 calories, and salty snacks grew from 1 ounce to 1.6 ounces, climbing from 132 calories to 225 calories.
Another study found that most products are now larger than they were when first released into the market.
For instance, a can of Coca Cola is now bigger than it was when it was introduced in 1916, and a regular sized soda served in Burger King in 1954 is equal to a child-sized drink in today’s stores.
Moreover, sizes of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat foods have also increased substantially since they were first released.
Researchers note that while bigger portions for less money may seem like a good deal, unhealthy portion sizes are contributing to the increasing obesity epidemic.
In the study, researchers compared current portions of various foods, including pizza slices, hamburgers, soda, french fries and pasta, to portion sizes when they first appeared on the market.
In terms of fast food, in 1954 Burger King’s hamburgers were two ounces smaller than today’s Whopper Junior, and in both McDonald’s and Burger King, regular-sized fries were originally more than four ounces smaller than the largest sizes today.
It is likely that manufacturers have increased portions over time because the United States already produces too much food. Additionally, they can charge more for the product and consumers don’t mind paying a little extra for a lot more product.
Researchers suggested that experts work with the food industry to make changes that could combat the growing obesity epidemic, rather than promote it. They also note that consumers, especially those watching their weight, should be aware of how much they are eating.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2003;103:231-234
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
I recently reviewed a popular new book, Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World. The book provides some interesting data that helps explain why over two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight. Unfortunately, the author, like most traditional scientists from whom he takes his information, does not realize the distinction between grains and vegetables in the cause of this problem.
The author is also highly misinformed on the issue of saturated fat, calling it a great evil in one paragraph and in the next stating that it has been shown to lower insulin resistance. The author just hasn’t done his homework.
If you are looking for some current reasons why the United States is facing an obesity epidemic, consider the book Fast Food Nation, which was a New York Times bestseller and provides a compelling history of McDonald's.
Some Interesting facts from Fast Food Nation:
In 1970 Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food while in 2000 they spent more than $110 billion.
Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software or new cars.
In 1968 McDonald's had 1,000 restaurants while today it has about 30,000 and opens 2,000 new ones each year. In fact, McDonald's is the largest owner of retail property in the world. The company earns most of its profit from collecting rent, not from selling food.
McDonald's is the nation's largest purchaser of beef, pork and potatoes. It is also the second-largest purchaser of chicken.
The golden arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross.
Every month 90 percent of American children between the ages of 3 and 9 years visit a McDonald's, where they receive massive doses of soda.
McDonald's sells more Coca-Cola than anyone else in the world.
The typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of french fries every week.
What we eat has changed more in the last 40 years than in the last 40,000.
As I said last year:
Don’t fall for the savings gambit of super sizing. Yes, the food may cost you less in the short run, but it will cost you far, far more in the long run. The money you save pales in comparison to the amount you would spend trying to get healthy again.
The United States has nearly 200,000 fast-food restaurants and over 3 million soft-drink vending machines. We also have an extremely wide variety of processed foods available in our grocery and convenient stores.
Some 90 percent of the money Americans spend on food goes toward processed foods.
How can you possibly be healthy with that much processed food in your diet? Our goal should be to reverse that ratio and strive for 90 percent non-processed food and only 10 percent from other sources. By doing this, not only will you enjoy health benefits, but the satisfaction of preparing meals and controlling the ingredients is a great feeling.
The proportion of restaurant/fast food establishments, and the desire for convenience, has increased considerably since the late 1970s. Among 19- to 39-year-olds, away-from-home food consumption just about doubled between 1977 and 1996.
Further, 28 percent of young Americans said they had eaten out on any given day in 1996, compared to just 14 percent two decades earlier.
Yes, it takes more time and energy to follow the nutrition plan, but doing so could:
v Add years to your lifespan
v Give you more energy than you know what to do with
v Help you avoid:
v Cancer
v Heat Disease
v Diabetes
v Arthritis
So, stay away from processed and fast foods and either hire someone to prepare your non-processed food meals or prepare them yourself.
As is the case with many people, I have very little free time. But, I prepare over 95 percent of my meals myself to preserve my health. It is a commitment, but it can be done.
