When I was a big girl I loved to eat huge amounts of food. Chip bags – the whole thing. Cookie trays – both. Cracker sleeves – two. I always thought “the more food the better.” This was especially true when dining at a restaurant or driving thru their window. Why have a small size drink when for only twenty cents more you can have the super-sized gigantic one filled with even more sugar or aspartame? Isn’t the value meal always the best value?When eating out, Mexican restaurants were always my favorite choice because they had all these great “combo” meals. Why get just one taco and a drink, when for a couple dollars more you could have the “Tamale and Enchilada Platter,” that came with three loaded tamales and two enchiladas thrown in for good luck? The second best part of the Mexican restaurants was that unending chip bowl which I’ve talked about before! You’d think I would have been embarrassed after John and I had consumed two bowls of chips before dinner, and asked for another bowl to be served when our giant food platters came, but I wasn’t.
Drive thru restaurant meals were almost as good, because for just .39 cents more I could have extra large fries and an even bigger drink with my double cheeseburger. And because I had saved so much money on my meal, I probably could afford a milk shake to wash it all down!
And what about doughnut shoppes? Order six doughnuts and for just $1.00 more they will give you six more! Twelve doughnuts. Why not? I’d eat six on the way home and then when I pulled out the other six doughnuts for the rest of the family I was the hero. A bit full yes – but a hero nonetheless!
The best value for my money wasn’t the best thing for my health. Time and time again I’d eat the bigger meal without stopping to think about what I was doing. I saw the words “value sized” and like on auto pilot said, “I’ll have that one.” Not that I blame my obesity on restaurants. It was me purchasing the food and me eating it all with wild abandon. No, it wasn’t their fault.
After all, if there weren’t people like me who were more than willing to overindulge then there wouldn’t be a market for so much big, value-sized food.
As I started to lose weight I stopped oversizing my meals. I started planning ahead what I’d have when I went to restaurants of all kinds. At Mexican restaurants I turned down the chips and chose a properly sized meal. I stopped eating fast food in general and became more aware of how much food was on my plate.
Making those seemingly simple changes took me out of the value sized market. No longer was I tempted by the cashier’s query: “Would you like to value size that meal for .39 cents more?” I easily turned down her offer and ordered a meal that would move me towards being properly sized rather than dangerously sized.
How have you changed your attitude towards “big food?” Has it been hard or is this something you haven’t had to struggle with? Diane
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maybe you said and I missed it – how often are you doing that type (any type) of restaurant now? I know that you said you (as a family) did (only?) homemade pizza now.
vickie´s last blog ..Too much, not enough? Dealing well or taken advantage? Rationalizing or Reality?
Last year I ate at a restaurant a few times by myself with friends. John and I went out to dinner for a couple of special occasions (like anniversaries) and the kids once or twice.
Even though I only eat at restaurants a few times a year, I’m still careful with what I pick because often times the food just isn’t that good.
I agree that the term “value sized” seems to be a misnomer. So many people order these things and are actually *not* aware of the portion distortion. At least you seemed to be somewhat conscious of it, but just perhaps irreverant.
I’m just curious, what do you think of the movement to require restaurants to post nutrition information? I think it’s great.
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Visa: It’s Everywhere You Want to Be.
I think it’s wonderful. I’ve seen studies that said that people do change their behavior when they see the actual calories on the food they are about to eat at a restaurant. It definitely wouldn’t hurt anything to have the nutrition information posted!
If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant and see what they do to the food to make it so “tasty” you can see where some of those incredible calorie counts come from. For example, a restaurant in Florida that my friend worked in slathered butter on every piece of chicken and steak that went out of the kitchen. That’s how it was so incredibly tender!
I can tell you this, now that I’ve had a month of tracking food and calories…I have a whole new appreciation for those lists!
josie´s last blog ..Day 30; The end of month 1
A stomach anomaly has taken place. I can’t eat real big food anymore. Yesterday even, a banana and yogurt filled me up. It had me wondering. As my choices have changed, so has my ability to eat BIG. Unless it’s pizza. Go figure.
Yum Yucky´s last blog ..Pumpkin Head Experiment
My weakness has always been fast food. And lots of it. Some people binge on cookies or candy…I’d binge on not 1, but TWO “value meals” (both VALUE sized of course!) It’s been extremely hard over the last month to NOT have it, but each day gets easier…Each day I don’t eat fast food is a victory for me.
Josie´s last blog ..Day 30; The end of month 1
This has been hard for me, because I want to feel like I’m getting the “most” for my money. Its something that I struggle with but I find that if I just get the smaller, “regular portioned” meal – I’m FINE. If I get the bigger meal, I will EAT IT ALL because I don’t want to waste food – which is not fine.
Lola´s last blog ..One last 2009 goal
Diane,
My attitude towards food changed a lot when I moved out permanently from my parent’s home in my early 20’s. I grew up with the Clean Your Plate Club, with a mother who thought nothing of buying her “little” girl one of those “Value Meals”, with the Eat All Your Food or No Desert Club. Today, my 4 children and husband think it is normal to split a large fries, to have desert only once in a while, to not find a 1# package of Oreos in the cupboard. These and more were the things I learned on my own. My children think this is normal! Yeah! I’m doing something right! (My husband still grumbles from time to time! He loves his white bread and greasy “Man-Food”. But his cholesterol and weight are down!)
@Yum Yucky – I am always amazed when I read comments like yours and hear the same thing from people I speak to in “real life.” Our bodies do adapt and begin to love that which is good.
@Josie – Wonderful! Breaking that fast food habit can be really hard. I know it was for me.
@Lola – The money issue is big. You are not alone in feeling the need to get the best value for your money. I usually take food home when I do eat out, that way I feel like I get two meals for one price!
@Mia – How great that your kids think that the healthy way you eat is normal. I bet your hope is that your kids will continue thinking that their whole lives. We talk a lot in our family about moderation in foods, staying active, and not letting our food choices rule us. My husband too often complains that there is nothing “good” to eat in the pantry!
I fall prey to the value sized thing as well. It’s hard to say no when it seems like such a great deal. I know it’s bad for me in soooooo many ways. I really have made a turn around and want to improve even more.
I skip fast food restaurants all together. And, at Mexican restaurants, I eat salsa with a spoon and skip the chips and I really don’t feel like I’m missing out. It might look a little funny, but I’m cool with that!
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I can’t finish big portions anymore (well, sometimes I can, but I sure don’t feel good). It’s so frustrating with the large portions because I don’t always want to take some home and have it again, especially if it is something indulgent. I would rather pay a bit more for a half portion. I love that my husband now is willing to split things with me since he has lost weight this year doesn’t eat like he used to.
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Has my attitude towards big food changed? Yes, but I don’t have victory over it yet. I love to eat. When you wrote both cookie sleeves it reminded me of how I used to dump a whole cookie sleeve into a big glass, cover it in milk, and eat them with a spoon. Wow, it was no wonder I was so big.
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..“Normal” Women are More Attractive
oh. wow. that sounds so good. *must resist urge* j/k. You might not have victory over it yet, but you sure have come a long way!
josie´s last blog ..Day 30; The end of month 1
I think there’s also a huge issue with portion size in the US. Even being from Canada, I am astounded when I travel south and order out. The plates are HUGE. During my most recent trip, most (even fancy) places we stopped brought separate plates for our sides in order to fit more in. Totally unnecessary. I rather pay more money for less of higher quality food.
Susan´s last blog ..Onward and Forward
I definitely used to eat too much food (at home and at restaurants). While we have never eaten out a lot, it just seemed “normal” to get the combo platter at the Mexican restaurant for example. And I usually ate it almost all. Now, I can’t believe I used to eat all that food.
I think most restaurant meals, even in “healthy” restaurants, are oversized. That’s why I now usually order from the appetizer menu or split an entree. It’s still lots of food (and often probably a lot more calories and fat than we realize), and I feel perfectly satisfied.
I really like your point about having a plan. Whenever I can, I look up the menu online and decide what I’ll get before I get there.
I HATE this kind of sizing. I think it’s starting to decline, but it’s especially awful with candy. For a while there you could not buy a normal 1-2 ounce serving of candy. Everything was sold in 6 oz boxes to upsize profits (and candy loving kids.)
Larkspur´s last blog ..Huh
Back in South Africa we dont have the choice of oversized meals like you get in the US, we always joked when we went to US on holiday and saw how big their portions were compared to us, and if we bought a sandwich we got a packet of crisps with it..what a bargin!!
We dont have a huge obese problem in South Africa I think cause of this reason.
Here in Germany the portions are getting bigger and bigger as are the people who live here…lots of Mac Donalds, Burger Kings on every corner.
I have Subway if I want a take away meal…saw on Biggest Loser to ask them to dig out some of the bread and fill it with more salad…it works, I feel satisfied afterwards.
Marcelle´s last blog ..My Baby Turns 23
I’ve never been a fast food junkie, but I can relate to the multiple bowls of chips at a Mexican restuarant. The last time we went to one, I kept the chips away from me so I wouldn’t get started. I have a very hard time with portion control and chips.
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I’m not a fan of fast food so the value meal issue hasn’t been a problem for me. What drives me crazy is buying ice cream in a pint container when for nearly the same price I can get a half gallon. But with just my husband and I at home these days, I have finally learned to ignore the price per ounce and buy the pint. A bowl of ice cream, even a bowl containing a half pint of ice cream, is really ok if you only eat it once in a while. What’s not ok is a bowl (or two) of ice cream every day before my husband comes home from work! My will power just isn’t up to the temptation!
Well, they did not have those super value meals when I was younger & heavy. As an adult & since I have lost the weight, I don’t have probs with this. Basically, since I eat mini meals, I get too full when I eat too much at one time. Even at holiday gatherings, I split up the meal rather than eat it all at once like everyone else because my tummy is not used to all that stuff at one time… YES, the bod does adapt BUT be forewarned, it can stretch back out just as easy!
Diane, I saw on TV somewhere that in Japan, I think, they made a 7 patty hamburger!!! It looked so gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jody – Fit at 51´s last blog ..Weight/Diet & Hoidays- Part 2
I have changed, yes. I order WATER with my food — no cola, no tea.
No fries, either. And no, I no longer cry when I say it!:)
I try to plan ahead when I know where I’m going. Grilled, not fried. No condiments, please.
It’s all a matter of preparation and choice.
GeorgiaMist´s last blog ..BEFORE and… DURING!
The next time I find myself in a fast food restaurant I am going to try ordering a kids meal… I bet it will fill me up! AND I’ll get a toy!
Janet´s last blog ..Day 164 – Holy Moly! Another Vacation!
Food is cheap, and restaurants will keep over-filling the trough to bring in the customers! It’s up to us to maintain the strict portion control, as you so clearly pointed out, Diane, because “they” are not going to try to help us!
Let me tell you, this “VALUE-SIZED” thinking is completely American (and foreign to the rest of the world). When I was in Asia (Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore) three years ago, my translators and I talked about how everything in America is “so big” (including the people — I was still about 267 pounds at that time).
They didn’t understand why we needed to drive such huge cars (for just one person), or get such massive portions of food (when a “regular” serving size should be plenty.) They didn’t understand why we needed dessert all the time (which would be hard to understand if you could only choose from the kinds of desserts they have in Asia — nothing personal, but BEAN CURD and SOY for EVERYTHING???)
I thought the excesses would be “envied” by my counterparts, but nothing could have been further from the truth. I was wearing my “excess” all over my body, so how could that be a good thing?
No WONDER I needed a full-size SUV; I couldn’t fit into one of those little cars they drive in their country. What was so glamorous about excess?
I clumsily described it like this: Americans don’t like to be told they can’t have something or are being limited, so they go to the extreme by overconsuming, just because they can. Ouch. The truth hurts.
Self-discipline? Moderation? Limitation? These are NOT American ideals.
So, about that drive-thru….McDonald’s offers ONE apple pie for $0.89 and TWO for $1.00. I’d be a FOOL to order *JUST ONE*, wouldn’t I? We Americans love a bargain — no matter WHAT the cost….
Cari (aka Gastric Bypass Barbie)´s last blog ..Why Am I Taking All This Junk?
We do still eat out about once a week. Its usually breakfast, at a nice place where we can order healthier items, unlike last year, when we would get take out from Sonic every weekend and have eaten 1200+ calories and 80 grams of fat for breakfast. Now, I pass a fast food place, smell grease and get nauseated. The portions are ridiculous, and I am so happy that we do not have the lust for it that we used to. We were killing ourselves. How scary.
Pam´s last blog ..Cursed Candy Can be a Sweet Realization
Again it’s odd, I don’t have a big problem with this, except when it comes to coffee drinks. It’s so hard not to get a venti iced latte. The value meals are so dangerous, they should be eliminated entirely.
Robin´s last blog ..Going Down
I stayed away from fast food for the first months. I just felt I wouldn’t be able to control myself and order a 1350 calorie Value meal #2 at McDonalds. Large, of course. Last month I went there with my daughter and had a mcdouble and a small fry off the dollar menu and a water and was so happy that I could eat that junk and it didn’t blow my calories. Eating fast food has become the exception, not the rule. I love that I can eat the way I always have, just smaller amounts.
I love this blog Diane. I can’t wait til your book comes out!
zaababy´s last blog ..Short but not sweet
Good post. My husband and I tend to avoid fast food now, or we just try to pick a healthier place to eat. I used to love Mexican food though, that is my weakness
Staci´s last blog ..Is It Still Considered Sexy When….
Here we eat out only once a week ( if that) simply because it coincides with our grocery shopping trips and eating at home will not be possible. We eat at the hot foods/salad bar in our grocery store, and to be honest I have no way of knowing the actual calorie oount of the items there. However, one meal eaten sensibly is not going to derail a program. In the days before weight loss we would often go to a buffet because it was the only place where i could get my son to eat something other than plain pasta ( sensory issues with autism and not behavior ones). While there he would eat steamed baby octopus and other protein things. Meanwhi8le , mom and dad , like lemmings to the sea, followed the popular belief that you must eat many plates to get your moneys worth. We do buffets on occasion now, but the family rule is you must first eat a big plate of salad and then one plate of whatever else you fancy ( meat options, veggie options) Then we all agree on one dessert, take one ans share it between the three of us. Fast food was stopped when my son was 3 because of the endless round of must have happy meals and the fact that he would never eat the meal.( Fries had a disagreeable texture, burgers were out because of the way they felt on his teeth, buns were scratchy to his lips and katsup hut his mouth).
Diane´s last blog ..Still finding joy…but then…..
Hey Diane, You know I’ve been a sucker for those value-sized meals. Unfortunately, the food companies prey on our gluttonous nature. They have studied our habits and how we think about food and “bargains.” They effectively market all this food to us to increase their profits. Buyer beware.
Since starting my healthy living journey (even if I’ve derailed some during this pregnancy) I’ve stuck to my guns on some things. We don’t upgrade the fast food we do buy… Mainly it’s a money thing, but really, we don’t need the extra. Especially when the hubby is full off a regular fry and triple burger and I KNOW I can’t eat all of that type of meal alone (even if it’s a single patty) so why order MORE not to finish it. If we go to restaurants (as that’s a real treat on our broke budget) I try to make healthier choices and eat a salad before the meal. Even if it’s extra because at least I’m filling up on goodies first. I also have stopped going for “new” dishes i’ve never tried. I usd to always pick something new on the menu. But I’ve become stuck in a rut on purpose. i know the sizes of my regulars and that way, i know a head of time… In the past I can’t eat that full plate, are the leftovers still good the next day. if that answer is no, they suck. i don’t order it or I know… 1/2 the plate will get thrown away and I admit I prefer not to waste food. So I order something that leftovers are good the next day or know I’m tossing it. The 1 thing that REALLY annoys my husband due to the “it’s more money, not a value” mentality is things like fresh baked pastries and cookies. We no longer buy a box of donuts or a box of cookies. I rather pay MORE money and buy ONLY what we need… 1 donut each, 1 cookie each, etc… Paying less for more isn’t always better. Uh, hence why he never used to get ANY cookies or baked goods. I used to eat them ALL before he could even have 1. Now I know, that 1 is his, not mine and it helps me stay away from it. He may not see the trade off, but it’s certainly helped me.
Jules´s last blog ..It’s been a long 2 weeks
Luckily I don’t eat fast food anymore (and don’t miss it). But it was a normal WEEKLY thing to go grocery shopping with my hubby. Out the parking lot on our way home to make dinner, we would always ‘grab a snack’ at the McD drive thru. I would say I wanted a hamburger and fry and he would always get me the double CB because it was cheaper than a hamburger on the dollar menu and a large fry. Oh I don’t miss those days!
I also thru away all of our plates/bowls after I started getting healthy because they were huge and we always seemed to fill them up with food during meals instead of paying attention to portion sizes. I don’t miss those days at all
brenda´s last blog ..Pizza madness
Thank God I think I’m over the fast food curse. When I first started in June, I literally threw myself on my bed and CRIED for almost 2 weeks, trying to keep myself from going out and getting something. I had every fast food restaurant imaginable within a 2-3 mile radius of my apt. But I just kept taking it one day at a time, and now they don’t bother me too much. Every once in a while, like when Shane brings a triple Whopper home right under my nose, then I get the hankering for something. But so far, I’ve been successful and keeping it at bay. I don’t go to regular restaurants that often because I just can’t afford it. But I’ve found when I do go now, that I order a sensible portion, and it’s no longer disappointing. I’ve finally gotten used to smaller portions of food at home, so when I order something out, it’s often way more than I’m used to eating now. The portions used to be disappointing, because I could eat so much volume. Now, I’m horrified at how much food they bring you in one sitting. Change feels so good.
Tammy´s last blog ..Early Weigh-In This Week
Very interesting discussions about calories on the menu. I follow a Dr.’s blog regularly. He’s quite interesting. Today of all days he speaks of this very issue. Personally I am so taken in by the more for your dollar thinking. I don’t know if I could pay the same amount of money for a smaller sized item…. I could send one of my kids shopping!!! Having a very tight budget turned out to be a blessing at my house. If we ordered a biggie fries it was for the FIVE of us! No drinks, there’s water at home.
What started as the inability to afford some of these extras really taught us that a smaller shared portion is sufficient.
Here’s the link:
http://www.weightymatters.ca/2009/10/see-calories-on-menus-eat-more-at-home.html
Lordy, I remember the days of getting a Big Mac, large order of fries, and a DIET Coke, and feeling healthy because “after all, you have to make the cut somewhere!” GEESH. LOL
Haven’t eaten fast food in ages. Way too much sodium, if if one does cut down the calories.
p.s. saw a mail order catalog yesterday with a t-shirt saying “Donut Whisperer” … had a good laugh about that with Mr. Sunny.
Sunny´s last blog ..Victory over Chili Dogs!
Oh gosh, I have changed a ton. I used to be possessive over food and want as much as I could eat. Now at restaurants I buy things the husband wants, cut it in half and give it to him. I get to taste what I want without the huge calorie commitment. I also use smaller plates at home etc. it really opens my eyes to how skewed my view of a portion was!
MackAttack´s last blog ..Mashed Potatoes
I agree completely with what you’re saying. I used to go out to restaurants and get whatever I really wanted, which would usually be the most calorie filled item on the menu. Mexican was also my downfall, as it was so delicious and there was just so much of it!
Now I realise that going out to lunch or dinner is a treat, so I plan ahead by looking up the nutritional values for the restaurant online. I pick something that I like but that is also low in calories.
Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog. You have such an inspirational history!!
I wish I could say I’ve grown behind big food, but it hasn’t happened yet. I hardly ever eat out, but even with healthy food at home I am still a ‘volume’ eater, I just get my volume from better food than the value meal. Maybe the difference is that I didn’t get fat on fast food and binges, but on a lifetime of eating too much at every meal?
Either way, the occasional time we DO go out to eat I have to moderate myself and I dot always succeed, but my overall eating pattern is great 90% of the time, so it all balances out.
I am slowly, but surely, noticing I cannot put away the amounts of food I used to, but I don’t think it is my stomach shrinking, so much as a recognition of when I am satisfied versus overfull.
Taryl´s last blog ..Blah and blah.
I like to “downsize” my meals. Even “regular” sized things are too big for a proper portion these days.
Sagan´s last blog ..Product Review and Giveaway: Taza Chocolate
Hi Diane! I am finally back to blogging – yeah!!! I just wanted to stop by and say hi since your blog has always been one of my favorites. I can’t wait to catch up on all your posts!!!
Lainie´s last blog ..Here I am! Actually, Let me Rephrase…
I have quit ordering value-sized meals. Like Sagan, even “regular” meals seem too much for me now, though I don’t always stop when full.
On a side note, I appreciate that you don’t put the blame on the fast food places for your weight gain. I see so many people blame the restaurants for the obesity problem in our country and I feel more like they are only catering to the demand of the people. No one ever forced me to eat chips with cheese and salsa and then a full platter of food, or order super-size at McD’s..those were all my own choices.
Now I’m learning to chose differently.
Great post, Diane!
Leah´s last blog ..A veggie boat, a coffee and the elliptical again.
I try to follow Paul McKenna’s rules one of which is to eat slowly and stop before you are full. I have noticed I eat MUCH smaller meals than I used to. I look at most takeaways and restaurant meals and think ‘Wow that looks too much ‘ I used to eat a whole portion of pie and chips (I am int he UK so I hope you know what a chip shop is!!) and feel hungry. Now I can’t eat the whole portion.
Sally´s last blog ..Getting to meet the guru
I also used to peruse the menu and settle on the “biggest” meal. It took a long time to get rid of the mindset that “value” is tied to quantity. These days I opt for quality and there is great value in that!
Hanlie´s last blog ..Oh, the horror!