The average restaurant portion size now compared to the 1950s is four times larger. Another rather dramatic, and not surprising, fact is that the average weight of an adult is also up a whopping 26 pounds. This illustration gives us an interesting comparison between portion sizes in restaurants, then and now.
Yes people, in general, we are fatter then we have ever been before in human history. What are some of the reasons for this? Let’s beat that extremely dead horse, shall we? Exercise, diet, and portion size. Ask Richard Simmons or any fitness guru you like, and you will hear this mantra: Diet and exercise. Portion size has now become just as important because without enough of the first two, it can really make a difference in your health.
The makers of this Infographic are telling you a dramatically simple message… eat smaller portions. Google did some interesting research for their employees and found that using smaller plates in their cafeteria still allowed people to have seconds but in general they consumed less. Having healthy choices visible and at eye level also helped their employees make smarter eating choices. The moral of the story is that we have become, as a whole, quite overweight and our society has done little to help us. We need to help create the demand for healthier choices and smaller portions, something seemingly alien to our consumerist ways…