Smaller portions call to tackle obesity

[maureenho]

Portion size key in tackling obesity, says study
By James Gallagher Health editor, BBC News website

Reducing the portion sizes offered in supermarkets, restaurants and at home would help reverse the obesity epidemic, say researchers.

They say their review of 61 studies provides the "most conclusive evidence to date" that portion size affects how much we unwittingly eat.

The team at the University of Cambridge also said smaller plates, glasses and cutlery helped people eat less.

Experts said people were "reluctant" to leave a plate with food on it.

Their data, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that when people are offered more food they will eat it.

And the team warns that in recent decades portion sizes have been increasing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34246119

[irenee]

Thank you smaller plate looks like you have a lot more but you eat less.

[annie]

tha22222

[Sheila-Anne]

I got myself some smaller plates because our dinner service one's are huge. Recently I have started to leave food on my plate because I realise I am full, whereas before I would force it all down. I think restaurants do give us too big a portion. When I went out with my neighbours they ordered fish & chips and they were given a heap of chips with 2 fish fillets on top. Neither of them ate half of it.

[wendy]

so true Shela,
I have used smaller plates for years and now I buy childrens portions ready meals but I add veg when I can.

[JaneJ]

Lots of places offer to supersize your meal too which doesn't help.

portions definitely are too big. I went for lunch with a friend the other day and we both ordered steak pie. It was half a family size pie when it arrived! Such a waste as neither of us could manage it.

I would rather have quality of quantity.