Throughout the past twenty years, those who have been eating in restaurants may have noticed that the food portions are getting bigger and bigger. It is common to see “jumbo” or “supersize” meals and drinks being often. It is fine to eat more provided you exercise more. However, with the advanced of technology with the invention of washing machines, microwave, dish washer and more, people are doing less and getting lazy. Therefore, people are getting larger in size too – bigger waist line and heavier body weight.
In US, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has done a research to show how much the portion of our food has actually increased. I was surprised to see the differences in size and the calories. Check them out.
Year 1988 | Year 2008 |
---|---|
![]() 45 Calories, 8 ounces |
![]() 350 Calories, 16 ounces |
![]() 210 Calories, 2.4 ounces |
![]() 610 Calories, 6.9 ounces |
![]() 270 Calories for 5 cups |
![]() 630 Calories for 11 cups |
![]() 140 Calories, 3-inch diameter |
![]() 350 Calories, 6-inch diameter |
![]() 55 Calories, 1.5-inch diameter |
![]() 275 Calories, 3.5-inch diameter |
![]() 260 Calories for 3 ounces |
![]() 640 Calories for 7 ounces |
![]() 85 Calories for 6.5 ounces |
![]() 250 Calories for 20 ounces |
![]() 500 Calories |
![]() 850 Calories |
![]() 320 Calories |
![]() 820 Calories |
![]() 300 Calories |
![]() 590 Calories |
.
The take home message is that:
- Instead of eating out, eat in more often.
- When you eat out, forget about the “jumbo” or “super size” promotion, go for the normal portion and share it with your friends if needed to.

Category: Weight Loss
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Scroll down to leave a comment. I really want to know what you think.
blackhuff // Nov 24, 2011 at 3:49 PM
This is what I learned when starting my journey and lost a whopping 88lbs in one year – eating out is a big “NO-NO” because of what you have reported here. Stay away from restaurants and Fast Food places.
LoveK // Dec 9, 2011 at 8:51 AM
How do I eat healthy If I do not have alot of healthy food at home and the healthy foods I have are so negative in calories (such as canned fruits) I am having a real time eating healthy because I do not know what to always eat, but I do need more energy and I can’t eat so little calories. what are some foods that I should eat?.