Why are US meal portions so big??

I sort of like the big portions. I usually get to take home half of my food and make another meal out of it!

i'll bet a Big Mac in the UK is exactly the same size as a Big Mac in the USA, but of course that'll just be dismissed as the exception that proves the rule... :facepalm:

Nope. US (and Canada) Big Macs have about 50 calories more than UK Big Macs, according to Mcdonald's website(s). Curiously, the UK Big Mac has twice(!) the sodium.

Clearly, the products are somewhat customized for local preferences.

calorie counts =/= portion sizes

1 cup of 1% milk has fewer calories than 1 cup of 2% milk. identical portion sizes.

let's see some data about the bun diameters of Big Macs between the USA and UK!

Thickness matters too. Just sayin'. <insertcreepycougarsmilehere>

Americans are gluttons, largest houses, bathrooms, yard, pool, and yes food too. It goes hand in hand with having so much land space, we are still like spoiled children compared to other world nations.

Yeah, we should totally apologize for having so much land and such large houses and bathrooms.

The meals are larger because the market responds to what the consumers want,

Agree. For some reason over the years getting higher quantities of food for lower prices has become the marketing ploy here. I mean it is like the greater quantity of food you can get, the better deal you appear to be getting. It became popular with the dollar menu back when. When I went to Morocco with my family it was such a difference to see how their vegetables were the majority of the diet with some protein and you could not really find processed foods where we went. Much healthier way of eating.

What I found quite interesting after a recent trip to North America is how "in your face" all the fast food chain restaurant signs are! No avoiding dunkin donuts, Macdonalds, Wendy's etc etc...HUGE signs everywhere...it made even this non-junk food loving Brit's mouth water....honestly, imho, with such huge signs the average junk-food loving person dosnt stand a chance!!

Because signs have hands and grab you and force feed you food????? I'm sorry....I don't get the connection. Small signs, big signs, North America, Britain.....we all have free will and can choose what we eat.

it is all about choices. I recently watched "Supersize Me" which blamed McDonalds for piling pounds on people. Sure, you will gain weitght if you go and order the largest of everything. But I have had McDonalds twice this week, and ordinarily will have it or something similar about once a week. And I am slim. Because I make informed choices that will fit into my nutrition plan. This morning, I could have had the Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit (love biscuits!!) But instead I had the egg white delight. Not becuse I prefer it, but because I know it is a better choice nutritionally. So dont complain to me if you gain weight eating the biscuit. No one made you choose that!

As I watched "Supersize Me"" I was appalled at the lack of INDIVIDUAL accountability. One girl complained that she could not lose weight because she could not afford to eat subway for every meal. Really??? Why not try going to the grocery store for some low fat ham and whole grain bread and make your own sandwich. It wil be CHEAPER and Healthier.

Yes there are some really large portion sizes, but as pointed out, more upscale restaurants have smaller portions. The last time I went to a certain restaurant in my city and paid $24.00 for a piece of salmon that was probably 2 inches square and 4 green beans, I left hungry and mad. Wont be going back there. I would rather have more food, and have the option of taking it home or sharing any day.

Otter is awesome...my 2 cents.

where did you go because usually when I go out the plate is small and the price is large?? :indifferent:

False. They contain carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. All of which does the body good. And often are garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, etc.

Dear whierd, erm, I don't want to offend you (really I don't) but if you think a big mac and fries is good food, and you also think that fat people are greedy, well, I despair.

Dear sparks, I could care less if I offend you, but I suggest taking a basic nutrition course if you think of foods in terms as simplistic as "good" and "bad".

Dear whierd, oh, where to start.... Do you always have to be right? All I know is that I was clinically depressed for 10 years, I ate loads of fast food and refined carbsand I gained weight rapidly. Changing diet has changed everything,energy, mood, motivation, and eating fresh veg & fruit every day is better than processed stuff
[/quote] Dear wheird AND sparks...get a room

obesity in the US is 32% and the UK is 26%

Not too much of a difference. Please get off your high horse