Eating in the USA

[Ron Kerr]

I have only visited the USA in the early 1980's and the thing that struck me about food was an almost obsession with eating out. I just could not understand when an American friend told me the place we were eating at was where his parents ate breakfast every day. It just made no sense to me that you would go out to eat breakfast, except for business meetings (and often someone was staying at the hotel where you were eating breakfast).

My daughter has recently returned from a trip to the USA and Canada and could not get over the size of meals served.

She had her first meal in L.A. and a friend who lived there asked if she wanted to share a meal. My daughter thought this was odd, but went along. When the size of one serving arrived she understood why they were sharing.

She found the huge servings to be common in the weeks she was there, visiting many states and cities.

My daughter is a well paid professional who dines out often in Australia (but not for breakfast!) but is astounded at American meal sizes.

Is this common throughout the country? And why do you think the meals are so large?

Since many of us in Western society struggle to maintain a proper weight for their height, huge meals are not helpful.

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Ron Kerr

Is this common throughout the country?

America is a pretty big place, so it's hard to say how common it is. From my experience, I have relatives in some very rural parts of the US, and they eat meals that are pretty much the same (in size) as over here (Ireland). Even eating out in nearby small towns was pretty normal.

However, once we went to larger towns and cities, the meal sizes were gigantic. Really gigantic. You didn't get a bowl of soup, you got a bucket. You didn't get a bag of chips (fries, as they call them), you got what seemed to be a whole drill of potatoes. You didn't get a steak, you got half a bloody cow! Despite being the greedy bastard that I am, I still wasn't able to clear the plate most times. (God knows I tried! )

[seasoned]

Ron Kerr,

It varies WILDLY! Some places the servings are TINY! In some, they are SO huge that they have championships. Some places PROUDLY proclaim that only 3-4 finished the meal, in its entire history. USUALLY, I doubt they are large.

The average hamburger was only about 1/4 pound of meat(BEFORE cooking), about 20gm of protein. The average meal is probably about 20gm for the main course. The NEW RDA is .8GM/KG. That means for my lean weight, I should have about 65GM or about 3 hamburgers. Of course, many say that that 65 should be more like 180+!

Steve

[Loren Woirhaye]

We have a significant problem with obesity and overweight-related
health problems in this country. Americans in general eat pretty
badly, eat too much, and are too sendentary to burn off the calories
they consume. There's a lot of fast-food consumption here and
that kind of food, eaten habitually, pretty much makes eaters pack
on the pounds.

there are a couple of interesting films about eating in the states:
"Food, Inc." & "Supersize Me" are documentaries. "Fast Food
Nation" is a fiction film based on a nonfiction book. All are
pretty disturbing - so don't watch if you like your hamburgers.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by Thomas

America is a pretty big place, so it's hard to say how common it is. From my experience, I have relatives in some very rural parts of the US, and they eat meals that are pretty much the same (in size) as over here (Ireland). Even eating out in nearby small towns was pretty normal.

However, once we went to larger towns and cities, the meal sizes were gigantic. Really gigantic. You didn't get a bowl of soup, you got a bucket. You didn't get a bag of chips (fries, as they call them), you got what seemed to be a whole drill of potatoes. You didn't get a steak, you got half a bloody cow! Despite being the greedy bastard that I am, I still wasn't able to clear the plate most times. (God knows I tried! )

Yes, it is fairly common. And the farther 'down' you go in food, the bigger the portions get.

In most restraunts a skinless, boneless, baked piece of chicken will probably fit in the palm of your hand, but you can get unlimited garlic buttered/oiled bread, nonstop baskets of nachos and have you ever seen the size of something like a 'blooming onion' at the average outback?

for about 10 bucks you can go to a golden corral restraunt which is an all you can eat buffet and eat until they have to roll your fat a** out the door

Walk into a 7-11 anywhere in the u.s. and look at their drink cup selection

You can get 64 ounces of fountain soda (which is pretty much sugar water) for about 1.50

You'll pay for food that is good for you to eat in correct portions in the u.s., but if you want tons of garbage food, we have that for pocket change

[TLTheLiberator]

We have been super-sized.

Even the plates are a lot larger now than they were 40-50 years ago.


TL

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

We have been super-sized.

Even the plates are a lot larger now than they were 40-50 years ago.


TL

Like TL said.
Being an old guy and one who sold a ton of depression glass and vintage housewares on eBay I know that to be true.
But I also remember with those smaller plates, going back for seconds more then today.
So maybe the super sizing came about to match the appetites we already had.
Also I know we had large meals in my house because we could.
My parents had both lived through the depression in the 20's and the rationing of WWII.
They used to tell me to eat it while you got it because it may not be there the next day.
We also grew our own veggies and had very good relationships with all the farmers around us so there was a lot of canning in the fall to insure a lot of food in the winter.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

We have a significant problem with obesity and overweight-related
health problems in this country. Americans in general eat pretty
badly, eat too much, and are too sendentary to burn off the calories
they consume. There's a lot of fast-food consumption here and
that kind of food, eaten habitually, pretty much makes eaters pack
on the pounds.

there are a couple of interesting films about eating in the states:
"Food, Inc." & "Supersize Me" are documentaries. "Fast Food
Nation" is a fiction film based on a nonfiction book. All are
pretty disturbing - so don't watch if you like your hamburgers.

We DO have a problem with obesity. Under the NEW definition of obese, I am obese, albeit barely. But I don't eat that much, and never really have.

So HOW do we get fat? Less exercise, and a lot of HIGH glycemic CARBS.

Of course, many of those that weight like 300 pounds(about 136KG) + probably DO overeat also. Outside of perhaps 2-3 days when I was recuperating from my aorta problem, I NEVER weighed anything CLOSE to that.

ALSO, in some areas, the meat has a LOT of fat on it.

Steve

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by ThomM

Like TL said.
Being an old guy and one who sold a ton of depression glass and vintage housewares on eBay I know that to be true.
But I also remember with those smaller plates, going back for seconds more then today.
So maybe the super sizing came about to match the appetites we already had.
Also I know we had large meals in my house because we could.
My parents had both lived through the depression in the 20's and the rationing of WWII.
They used to tell me to eat it while you got it because it may not be there the next day.
We also grew our own veggies and had very good relationships with all the farmers around us so there was a lot of canning in the fall to insure a lot of food in the winter.

No, supersizing was invented by the food industry as an upsell tool. I read a nifty story about the psychology of supersizing. They idea is that you can squeeze that little extra bit of money out of someone if you give them even more of what is already a cheep product for you. For instance 7/11's drinks There is just a minor increase in price between the medium' wich is already pretty big and the super bladder buster cup. But the amount of cost increase to 7/11 is like 8 times less. so its better for them if you buy that gallon of black sugar water as opposed to the half gallon.

[KenThompson]

Americans do try!

"I'll have the triple decker 3/4 pound chili cheese burger... um,
and the cheese fries... oh. Can you super size that? And a diet
coke, please."

A few months ago there was a thing airing on a local radio station.
Someone called in to relate a funny story, something overheard at
the local grocery store.

Wife to husband: "Don't get the chocolate frosting, get the vanilla.
You're on a diet!"

[garyv]

Even bigger than our obsession with food here in the United States, is our obsession with capitalism and making an extra buck. The reason these restaurants put out such huge portions, is because this is what brings in more sales. It's what people want.

I love having the freedom to choose whether or not I want to eat at such a place. I love having the freedom to eat what I want when I want. I'm not a chunky or over-weight person, but I hate it when people feel they need to choose the eating habits of those they think are a little chunkier than they are. Truth be told, some of these "chunkier" (not obese) people are actually healthier than most.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by garyv

Even bigger than our obsession with food here in the United States, is our obsession with capitalism and making an extra buck. The reason these restaurants put out such huge portions, is because this is what brings in more sales. It's what people want.

I love having the freedom to choose whether or not I want to eat at such a place. I love having the freedom to eat what I want when I want. I'm not a chunky or over-weight person, but I hate it when people feel they need to choose the eating habits of those they think are a little chunkier than they are. Truth be told, some of these "chunkier" (not obese) people are actually healthier than most.

no, thats what fatties tell themselves. along with 'im not fat, im chunky, or 'big boned'.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

no, thats what fatties tell themselves. along with 'im not fat, im chunky, or 'big boned'.

LOL - I'd be willing to wager that I'm healthier than most in this thread right now - maybe even you. And yes I'll have the 1/2 pounder w/ cheese thank u very much.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by garyv

LOL - I'd be willing to wager that I'm healthier than most in this thread right now - maybe even you. And yes I'll have the 1/2 pounder w/ cheese thank u very much.

Here's the part that people who are overweight dont get, and im not talking specifically about you, i dont know how much you weigh/height..etc.

Chubby/fat/bigboned people say 'im healthy' because they can pick up so many pounds, or they can run so far, or something else physical. That doesnt mean they are healthy. That doesnt take into account, plaque in arteries, almost clogged arteries, heart disease and future diseases such as diabetes that come along with EVERYONE that is fat.

If you're pushing half pounders with cheese down your throat and think you dont have fat and grease building up, you're kidding yourself.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

We have a significant problem with obesity and overweight-related
health problems in this country. Americans in general eat pretty
badly, eat too much, and are too sendentary to burn off the calories
they consume. There's a lot of fast-food consumption here and
that kind of food, eaten habitually, pretty much makes eaters pack
on the pounds.

there are a couple of interesting films about eating in the states:
"Food, Inc." & "Supersize Me" are documentaries. "Fast Food
Nation" is a fiction film based on a nonfiction book. All are
pretty disturbing - so don't watch if you like your hamburgers.

Food calories are not the major factor in today's obesity. There will always be over-eaters, but if you notice now, people are having more difficulty than ever taking the weight back off.......

I did an extremely indepth study and have a manual on all of the reasons we are so fat here (we meaning YOU/THEY - I am 5'6" and 110 lbs). There are many factors in play that are not even related to food....as well as many that are, such as the MSG they are pouring into almost everything and if you read the REAL stats on that stuff it's not much of a wonder that the US is one of the only, if not the only, countries in the world that would allow such poison dumped in food. It is not only deadly in ways most people aren't aware of, but it makes food highly addicting at the same time it is poisoning us. It is an infuriatingly disgusting display of disconcern for the health of a population just to acquiesce to corporation money - just as is dumping sodium/silica fluoride (not natural fluoride) in water, which is also another factor in the fattening of our people.

Of course, sedentary lifestyles don't help either, that is true. But in 1900 there were very few actually obese people, there are 2/3 more per capita now in 2009. Considering many of the sources of fat that people don't understand and are, therefore, not avoiding or forming loud activist groups about, you can expect to just sit back and watch our people expand like balloons. Don't look to conventional diets to stop the expansion, or pills, or programs.


If you think that is all because of food calories, you are dead wrong.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

Here's the part that people who are overweight dont get, and I'm not talking specifically about you, i don't know how much you weigh/height..etc.

Chubby/fat/bigboned people say 'im healthy' because they can pick up so many pounds, or they can run so far, or something else physical. That doesnt mean they are healthy. That doesnt take into account, plaque in arteries, almost clogged arteries, heart disease and future diseases such as diabetes that come along with EVERYONE that is fat.

If you're pushing half pounders with cheese down your throat and think you dont have fat and grease building up, you're kidding yourself.

Just passed my physical a couple of months ago. Doctor said I was in the upper 10 Percentile for my age group. My heart is fine. My blood pressure is great. And yes I eat at least one cheese-burger per week and love it!

Here's the part that most "healthy" - or at least those that think they are healthier than others - don't get. And that's the fact that most heart diseases have more to do w/ genetics than w/ eating. I can't tell you how many health nuts I've personally known that have bitten the dust at an early age.

Personally I eat what I want, and I can still out run my 15 year old. And I'm in my 40's. Happiness and personal freedom is my motto when it comes to food. Let someone else choke on a rice-cake.

Yes there are some that eat way way too much, but that's their decision. If they're adults, then let them make their own decisions. They don't need someone else to dictate how they live.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by garyv

Just passed my physical a couple of months ago. Doctor said I was in the upper 10 Percentile for my age group. My heart is fine. My blood pressure is great. And yes I eat at least one cheese-burger per week and love it!

Here's the part that most "healthy" - or at least those that think they are healthier than others - don't get. And that's the fact that most heart diseases have more to do w/ genetics than w/ eating. I can't tell you how many health nuts I've personally known that have bitten the dust at an early age.

Personally I eat what I want, and I can still out run my 15 year old. And I'm in my 40's. Happiness and personal freedom is my motto when it comes to food. Let someone else choke on a rice-cake.

Yes there are some that eat way way too much, but that's their decision. If they're adults, then let them make their own decisions. They don't need someone else to dictate how they live.

And I agree, until its my tax money thats paying for fatboy to get his gastric bypass because his insurance wont cover it and he doesnt known how to take the fork out of his mouth, or when the lardass at the drive through with the half a bag of cheeseburger goes diabetic, but doesn't have a job because he doesn't like people picking on him about his weight.

I used to go to school with this guy named mike white. Even at 17-18 years old mike was probably 375-400 or so. So fat he says he couldn't work. He married this big fat nasty slob of a woman that likewise couldn't work because of her weight. Neither of these two garbage disposals could hold a job because of the stress of standing, (they werent smart enough to get sitting jobs) or because they didnt like being made fun of or whatever. But they could make babies (lord knows how) like nobody's business. Those two buffalos probably had 5-6 kids together. And while mike couldnt work, he could damn sure take his government check for being 'disabled' and that check for being disabled AND a check for being too stupid to use a condom.

So yeah, i think you should be able to eat what you want, until it gets to the point that you need to use my tax money to support the eating habits, then, if you're taking my money, you'll eat what you're told to. And unfortunately there are a lot of big fat slobs in this country that let themselves get to that point and SHOULD be told what they can and cant eat because they obviously can't make that decision by themselves.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

And I agree, until its my tax money thats paying for fatboy to get his gastric bypass because his insurance wont cover it and he doesnt known how to take the fork out of his mouth, or when the lardass at the drive through with the half a bag of cheeseburger goes diabetic, but doesn't have a job because he doesn't like people picking on him about his weight.

I used to go to school with this guy named mike white. Even at 17-18 years old mike was probably 375-400 or so. So fat he says he couldn't work. He married this big fat nasty slob of a woman that likewise couldn't work because of her weight. Neither of these two garbage disposals could hold a job because of the stress of standing, (they werent smart enough to get sitting jobs) or because they didnt like being made fun of or whatever. But they could make babies (lord knows how) like nobody's business. Those two buffalos probably had 5-6 kids together. And while mike couldnt work, he could damn sure take his government check for being 'disabled' and that check for being disabled AND a check for being too stupid to use a condom.

So yeah, i think you should be able to eat what you want, until it gets to the point that you need to use my tax money to support the eating habits, then, if you're taking my money, you'll eat what you're told to. And unfortunately there are a lot of big fat slobs in this country that let themselves get to that point and SHOULD be told what they can and cant eat because they obviously can't make that decision by themselves.

Or how about the "jerk" that worries so much about other people that he gives himself ulcers, or stress disorder - that busybody that gives himself a coronary worrying about what other people are doing. I'd hate to pay for his medical bill. (Wow - that paragraph is kind of oxymoronic lol )

Does a person that eats unhealthy food live shorter? Probably. And so that means that they are on the system for a shorter amount of time. How about that guy that eats healthy his entire life, and then ends up w/ Alzheimer's and in an institution for 30 years on my tax money? The bastard could have eaten a few more cheese-burgers and been less of a drain on society!

The point is the money usually evens out. You have people that die too soon because they are smokers, unhealthy eaters, busybodies, the healthy jerk that likes to jog a bit too close to the bus. And then you have the perfectly healthy guy that lives a long life... But then receives 50 years worth of Social Security and Medicare. So I still say = Live and Let Live.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

And I agree, until its my tax money thats paying for fatboy to get his gastric bypass because his insurance wont cover it and he doesnt known how to take the fork out of his mouth, or when the lardass at the drive through with the half a bag of cheeseburger goes diabetic, but doesn't have a job because he doesn't like people picking on him about his weight.

I used to go to school with this guy named mike white. Even at 17-18 years old mike was probably 375-400 or so. So fat he says he couldn't work. He married this big fat nasty slob of a woman that likewise couldn't work because of her weight. Neither of these two garbage disposals could hold a job because of the stress of standing, (they werent smart enough to get sitting jobs) or because they didnt like being made fun of or whatever. But they could make babies (lord knows how) like nobody's business. Those two buffalos probably had 5-6 kids together. And while mike couldnt work, he could damn sure take his government check for being 'disabled' and that check for being disabled AND a check for being too stupid to use a condom.

So yeah, i think you should be able to eat what you want, until it gets to the point that you need to use my tax money to support the eating habits, then, if you're taking my money, you'll eat what you're told to. And unfortunately there are a lot of big fat slobs in this country that let themselves get to that point and SHOULD be told what they can and cant eat because they obviously can't make that decision by themselves.

I thought you were one of the ones lobbying to have the right to throw your money down a sewer like that. 8-/

But, along the lines of what you said, I and my mother BOTH heard people discussing having kids as a sort of career. Frankly, I see it as an argument AGAINST darwin! Survival of the dumbest and lamest.

It is the 375-400+ pound people that are making the government think about taxing soft drinks and other "junk" food. Frankly, I think they should simply make it healthier and better balanced. And heavyweight people should be forced to pay a premium for things they adversely affect. Planes, Schools, Gyms, Insurance, etc.... I am probably the high end of average for a native born American, but I could understand paying a little more. I AM working to keep the fat down, etc...

I was once on a plane where a ***FAT*** woman was about to use a seatbelt extender in the EXIT ROW! That is UNFAIR, UNSAFE, and ILLEGAL!!!!!(There is a federal law about who can sit in an exit row. One rule says you have to be willing and ABLE to help. Another says you can NOT use a seatbelt extender! She could never help, etc... She would be blocking the way.) The attendant caught her, and said she had to move. What if she hadn't, and THAT flight went down? Her excess weight could have led to other people DYING!

That is ONE thing china did kind of right. They outlawed LARGE families. If all the chinese had as many kids as some americans have, poverty and famine could be RAMPANT around the world well within a decade!

Steve

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by garyv

Or how about the "jerk" that worries so much about other people that he gives himself ulcers, or stress disorder - that busybody that gives himself a coronary worrying about what other people are doing. I'd hate to pay for his medical bill. (Wow - that paragraph is kind of oxymoronic lol )

Does a person that eats unhealthy food live shorter? Probably. And so that means that they are on the system for a shorter amount of time. How about that guy that eats healthy his entire life, and then ends up w/ Alzheimer's and in an institution for 30 years on my tax money? The bastard could have eaten a few more cheese-burgers and been less of a drain on society!

oh if that were only true. but unfortunately we seem to think that every life is special and worth saving here. If we let fatboy stuff burgers in his face until he finally stroked out, i'd be giddy..nature would be taking its course, we would be strengthening the herd. But instead, roundman will get a bypass, then go back to eating pizza. When he's close to stroking out again, double bypass, then triple bypass. We wont let that fat ass die, nah, lets help him stay alive that much longer so he can keep stuffing his face

The point is the money usually evens out. You have people that die too soon because they are smokers, unhealthy eaters, busybodies, the healthy jerk that likes to jog a bit too close to the bus. And then you have the perfectly healthy guy that lives a long life... But then receives 50 years worth of Social Security and Medicare. So I still say = Live and Let Live.

I say live and let live as well. Until you doing stupid crap makes your life an expense to mine. Then you should be cut loose to fend for yourself and let the chips fall where they may. When THAT happens, you wont hear another word out of me. But when MY tax money goes to pay for every disgusting puke that spends his adult life in a one drive thru or another stuffing his face with complete garbage until his body finally, and rightfully gives out on him, only to have the bleeding heart dr's give him just one more chance, i will bitch...as should everyone else

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by garyv

The point is the money usually evens out. You have people that die too soon because they are smokers, unhealthy eaters, busybodies, the healthy jerk that likes to jog a bit too close to the bus. And then you have the perfectly healthy guy that lives a long life... But then receives 50 years worth of Social Security and Medicare. So I still say = Live and Let Live.

If I lived 50 years, and got what they pay today, I would STILL make LESS than I was supposed to earn! HECK, just the PRINCIPLE I have paid in so far is over half that! So social security is SUPPOSED to be EARNED! I probably won't see a penny. They keep talking about raising the age, and lowering the money.

Steve

[garyv]

Originally Posted by seasoned

If I lived 50 years, and got what they pay today, I would STILL make LESS than I was supposed to earn! HECK, just the PRINCIPLE I have paid in so far is over half that! So social security is SUPPOSED to be EARNED! I probably won't see a penny. They keep talking about raising the age, and lowering the money.

Steve

But the point is you'd still get 50 years more tax money than the fat guy that killed over too soon.

ps - sorry for taking the thread in a different direction

Yes serving sizes in the United States are Huge! And they get even bigger when you enter the state of Texas.

[mark z]

Interesting findings indeed.
Mark Twain wrote:
"Foreigners cannot enjoy our food, I suppose, any more than we can enjoy theirs. It is not strange; for tastes are made, not born. I might glorify my bill of fare until I was tired; but after all, the Scotchman would shake his head and say, 'Where's your haggis?' and the Fijan would sigh and say, 'Where's your missionary?' "

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by garyv

But the point is you'd still get 50 years more tax money than the fat guy that killed over too soon.

ps - sorry for taking the thread in a different direction

Yes serving sizes in the United States are Huge! And they get even bigger when you enter the state of Texas.

At leastt one restaurant famous for the contest I spoke of IS in Texas, but texas goes to both extremes ALSO.

Steve

[Patrician]

Well then there is the Yuppie phenomenon in food - at least here in California.

This is where you paid twice as much as you have ever paid in your life, and you got tablespoon size servings of 'gourmet' food, usually always served with fine wine and 4 crunchy string beans.

I am serious these are the smallest servings you have ever seen.

Somehow it was very elegant, though and who cared since I always filled up on french bread and by the time the food got there I was not hungry anyway.

I guess the concept is the taste knocks your socks off, you are satisfied and you go away in your beemer.

I think in the case of yuppies they get more satisfaction because they are spending more money and the food is only semi-relevant and that is only because it is 'fine'.

There may be something to this for weight loss.

2 for 1 = lose your money and lose weight

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Well then there is the Yuppie phenomenon in food - at least here in California.

This is where you paid twice as much as you have ever paid in your life, and you got tablespoon size servings of 'gourmet' food, usually always served with fine wine and 4 crunchy string beans.

I am serious these are the smallest servings you have ever seen.

Somehow it was very elegant, though and who cared since I always filled up on french bread and by the time the food got there I was not hungry anyway.

I guess the concept is the taste knocks your socks off, you are satisfied and you go away in your beemer.

I think in the case of yuppies they get more satisfaction because they are spending more money and the food is only semi-relevant and that is only because it is 'fine'.

There may be something to this for weight loss.

2 for 1 = lose your money and lose weight

^^^^^^^ Guys? She is NOT kidding! SEE, I TOLD you there was another extreme.

Do we have restaurants that have cakes that are 2 feet or more tall? YEP! But that is EXTREME!
Do we have restaurants that have 18 pound meals with steak and competitions where the winner gets it for FREE? YEP, but that is EXTREME!
Do we have HUGE sundaes that cost tens of thousands of dollars? YEP, but that is EXTREME!

On the other side, you can get TINY meals known by the artistry and maybe the chef, but a PALTRY amount of food that may not give enough nutrition to even DIGEST it, that cost over $100, and wine like you would NOT believe.

Frankly, for dinner most of the last week I had a microwave dinner that was like 300 calories. The US RDA standard for a day is apparently like 2000 calories. Of course, that IS really dependent on weight and activity. For ME, a lot of people say I should take over 3048, and I sometimes take as much as 3600.

There is a nice company here that has some themed restaurants. Perhaps their MOST famous is one called "OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE". My favorite meal there is chicken on the barbie, and MAYBE the "chocolate thunder from down under' Outback Steakhouse

GRANTED, it is an AUSTRALIAN themed restaurant, but IT is probably more like TRADITIONAL american dinner fare.

IHOP with say 5 pancakes, 2 eggs, milk/orange juice, and bacon, or sausage, is like a traditional american breakfast.

Lunch is often like a small dinner. MOST americans have 2-3 meals a day. I am taking about 6 or so, but they are smaller to try to be more efficient.

Of course, you WILL see people in tennessee, etc... talking about specially cured pork for dinner, etc... People in the south talking about grits for breakfast.... People in louisiana talking about ALL SORTS of food with french and caribean influence, etc.... But I am trying to give the idea of something you will see in almost any traditional restaurant around.

A lot of THIN people have that kind of food. Some FAT people simply eat more of it, or snacks, or have some problem like cushings. Sadly, it is just too easy for many to gain fat.

Steve

[KenThompson]

I love reading your posts. All of them. Some of you are special.

I just laughed my ass off at some of these. I have to say this
post of mine is off topic and basically pointless, other than to
say thank you for the good time.

Ok...

Wanna know the kind of thing that gets me about some obese
people and "rights"?

I've read just several times over the years about some truly fat
person who frequented some particular eatery that offered all
you can eat specials. Much to the awful dismay of the restaurant
owners.

You know what's coming...

The fat people were laying waste to the poor restaurants. lol.

They'd come in and eat EVERYTHING in sight. And the owners
were going out of their minds.

One owner refused to serve one of these people, and a lawsuit
followed. I won't even go there.

That is the kind of stuff that makes me wish I was a hit man.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by KenThompson

I love reading your posts. All of them. Some of you are special.

I wish I could be sure of what you mean there...

Originally Posted by KenThompson

One owner refused to serve one of these people, and a lawsuit
followed. I won't even go there.

That is the kind of stuff that makes me wish I was a hit man.

Yeah, ONLY in america!

You would think that the owner offering all that a NORMAL person could eat would be MORE than enough. HEY, my sensibilities, coupled with how the general public reacts, means I can NEVER go to such a place. Where are the courts to help ME!?!? I have ACTUALLY gone to restaurants, found they were suddenly only offering a buffet, and I had to leave!

Steve

[KenThompson]

Originally Posted by seasoned

I wish I could be sure of what you mean there...

Steve

Nothing bad. Just the way things are described.

[Loren Woirhaye]

this is a public forum folks... and there are people who read it who
would be very hurt by what I would characterize as hate speach.

I'm just saying... 'cause people will remember what you wrote
when you run a WSO or whatever. Ranting about people who
are different from you won't endear you to the marketplace.

[ThomM]

I've read just several times over the years about some truly fat
person who frequented some particular eatery that offered all
you can eat specials. Much to the awful dismay of the restaurant
owners.

That reminded me of me years ago.
I was never fat, but for years had an appetite that rivaled king kongs
I ate so much at every meal that a friend I was staying with once thought I had a tape worm and seriously wanted to take me to a hospital to be checked out. In fact after I moved on his wife told me she cooked a dinner and instead of all the food being gone their family ate the leftovers for 3 nights and they where a family of 4.
Now picture a 6'2", 150 lb. skinny guy going into an all you can eat buffet and wiping them out.

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Well then there is the Yuppie phenomenon in food - at least here in California.

This is where you paid twice as much as you have ever paid in your life, and you got tablespoon size servings of 'gourmet' food, usually always served with fine wine and 4 crunchy string beans.

I am serious these are the smallest servings you have ever seen.

Somehow it was very elegant, though and who cared since I always filled up on french bread and by the time the food got there I was not hungry anyway.

I guess the concept is the taste knocks your socks off, you are satisfied and you go away in your beemer.

I think in the case of yuppies they get more satisfaction because they are spending more money and the food is only semi-relevant and that is only because it is 'fine'.

There may be something to this for weight loss.

2 for 1 = lose your money and lose weight

When that first started the idea was to serve a small 1 or 2 bite serving but make it a 12 or so course theme meal.
So you would take a couple of items like say pomegranates and shrimp and base each course on one or both of them.
Presentation has always been important, in fact some schools of thought places presentation above taste

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by ThomM

When that first started the idea was to serve a small 1 or 2 bite serving but make it a 12 or so course theme meal.
So you would take a couple of items like say pomegranates and shrimp and base each course on one or both of them.
Presentation has always been important, in fact some schools of thought places presentation above taste

You know.....

I have gone to a LOT of restaurants, and have had my meal DESTROYED because I failed to ask for them to NOT put that garbage on. And to THINK that I might be paying EXTRA to pay some guys loan for a school where s/he was TOLD to do that!

Hey, Food is going to soon be in your stomache anyway. If the presentation takes a lot of effort and/or provides NO value, WHY DO IT!?!?

BTW I have had meals where even the PARSLEY GARNISH was far more substantial than some of the small dinners I was given at expensive restaurants.

Steve

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

this is a public forum folks... and there are people who read it who
would be very hurt by what I would characterize as hate speach.

I'm just saying... 'cause people will remember what you wrote
when you run a WSO or whatever. Ranting about people who
are different from you won't endear you to the marketplace.

OK, one minor reference to stupidity. So what else is new? And, sadly, NO country has a monopoly there. Some like to think europe is great, etc... They AREN'T!

There were some references to lawyers. HEY, if they take offense, SO WHAT!?!?!? I would LOVE for them to sue me. If I lost, I would take it to the media. It's a GIVEN. The U.S. is all too litigious.

And there was some talk about obesity. HEY, I admitted that under the current definition, I'M obese. I'm trying to lose weight. At the highest point that I had for more than a week, I was about 30 pounds heavier than I am now. If I could lose another 40 pounds, I figure my weight would be perfect. I DID say that MANY people don't become obese by overeating. And anyone that does should NOT take offense to being called FAT!

So where is the hate speech?

Steve

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by seasoned

You know.....

I have gone to a LOT of restaurants, and have had my meal DESTROYED because I failed to ask for them to NOT put that garbage on. And to THINK that I might be paying EXTRA to pay some guys loan for a school where s/he was TOLD to do that!

Hey, Food is going to soon be in your stomache anyway. If the presentation takes a lot of effort and/or provides NO value, WHY DO IT!?!?

BTW I have had meals where even the PARSLEY GARNISH was far more substantial than some of the small dinners I was given at expensive restaurants.

Steve

I hear ya Steve.
I'm glad I got out of the business before the small, multiple course, fancy looking, long stupid named, meals became vogue.
Only place I came close to dealing with that was when I was the Chef de Grande Manger at the Albany Country Club.

[Dave Patterson]

Speaking of long fancy names....

"Chef de Grande Manager "

Another promotion and you'd have never gotten Chef de Grande Manager A La Mode on your business cards...

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by Dave Patterson

Speaking of long fancy names....

"Chef de Grande Manager "

Another promotion and you'd have never gotten Chef de Grande Manager A La Mode on your business cards...

The whole purpose of that title was the club trying to get out of giving me a raise.
I still remember being called into the manager's office.
He explained I had a new title and gave me my new business cards.
I thanked him and then told him instead of a buck an hour raise I figured with that fancy title I wanted a 3 buck an hour raise
We ended up splitting the difference and I walked out with a 2 dollar an hour raise.

[KenThompson]

Ah yes, the joys of receiving titles in lieu of more cash.

I once worked on aircraft simulators. The professional kind.
One day our manager started putting placards of our names
and new titles on the simulators assigned to us.

Things like, simulator technician and simulator engineer.

We roared over that one. Got endless mileage out of it. We
thought of a new one that was to be used for our next
scheduled raise.

Simulator scientist.

Our manager couldn't see the humor in it.

[myob]

Titles are only relative, and can be a lot of fun. Years ago I was
working as a manager for a large computer software company.

My boss was the Assistant Director of Operations. Not a very nice
guy to be working for.

On his huge desk, there was his nameplate, prominently displaying
his name in big bold letters. And with even bigger letters was his
title: Asst. Director.

Someone had taken his nameplate, and with a minor modification,
affixed it over the Men sign on the restroom door.

And no one ever did found out who it was that put his big proud
nameplate, Ass Director, on the door of the men's room.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by KenThompson

You know what's coming...

The fat people were laying waste to the poor restaurants. lol.

They'd come in and eat EVERYTHING in sight. And the owners
were going out of their minds.

One owner refused to serve one of these people, and a lawsuit
followed. I won't even go there.

That is the kind of stuff that makes me wish I was a hit man.

Tell these people to send me into those places. I'll teach them that you don't have to be fat to reap some "all you can eat" destruction on an establishment that wants to put up all you can eat specials.

My metabolism is so high that I have had employers worry about results I might get from a drug test..(another common misconception is that you have to be doing crank or meth to be thin).

I once had Red Lobster cut me off......fun thing was I was having dinner with a lawyer and we ate that place out of their all you can eat crab legs between the two of us. LOL.

I love food....and work hard enough on my metabolism to be able to destroy any amount put on my plate if it tastes good enough to do so.

[MissTerraK]

Don't forget guys, that the models, and Hollywood stars -the beautiful people that the media practically drools over, have caused mental illness in a lot of women!

Anemia & bolemia! America struggles with both ends of the spectrum!

I on the other hand just go by: If you're not hungry...don't eat! If you are eat until you're full - not over full. I also dance alot too for cardio work out!

I hear ya on the portion sizes, I usually bring what I didn't eat home in a box which makes leftovers 2 or 3 more times for me. That's 4 meals in one dinner! Sheesh!

Whatever happend to I'm sorry, I can't eat all of it, I guess "my eyes were bigger than my tummy"?
MissTerraK

[valerieSONORA]

Yeah I know ppl who eat out several times a week. I have a friend who eats out at least 3 or 4 times for lunch a week and then at least 3 or 4 times for dinner a week. I rarely ever eat out cause most of the places serve junk. The thing that pisses me off is high fructose corn syrup is in about everything I was raised on eating out and junk food and never knew any better until I learned about nutrition and didn't want to be anything like my parents and it gave me all this weight to lose grrrrr. My mom couldn't cook if her life depended on it. I find my meals made from fresh ingredients, lotsa herbs and spices much more delicious and you feel a lot better than eating junk.

And we don't know that our portions are large unless we have something else to compare it to. People who eat out regularly, have never traveled, etc, the portions are normal and what you call large portions are considered small to others.

[derekwong28]

Some of our Western restaurants carry the following warning here in Hong Kong

"Please be aware that we serve large American sized portions"

But some may offer "half portions" which are basically the normal sized portions here.

Ron, Australian sized portions aren't that small either!


Derek

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by valerieSONORA

Yeah I know ppl who eat out several times a week. I have a friend who eats out at least 3 or 4 times for lunch a week and then at least 3 or 4 times for dinner a week. I rarely ever eat out cause most of the places serve junk. The thing that pisses me off is high fructose corn syrup is in about everything I was raised on eating out and junk food and never knew any better until I learned about nutrition and didn't want to be anything like my parents and it gave me all this weight to lose grrrrr. My mom couldn't cook if her life depended on it. I find my meals made from fresh ingredients, lotsa herbs and spices much more delicious and you feel a lot better than eating junk.

And we don't know that our portions are large unless we have something else to compare it to. People who eat out regularly, have never traveled, etc, the portions are normal and what you call large portions are considered small to others.

I HAVE been to europe, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and ate standard fare in those restaurants. They weren't noticably smaller.

derekwong,

That may be an advertising gimic of sorts. ALSO, in the US, we tend to eat more protein, and others tend to eat more carbs. Of course, from what I understand, Australia tends to eat more protein also. I think spain, ireland, scotland, and some other places also do. But for china, italy, etc... you often have LOTS of noodles, pasta, etc... So some things may just LOOK bigger. And protein can actualy make you LOSE fat. The reason why it doesn't seem to work like that is because carbs and fats are usually included in the deal. Go to a good restaurant, and the hamburger may cause you to lose fat, but the bun, condiments, and fries would negate it, and probably cause a net fat GAIN!

BTW high fructose corn syrup is generally one of the worst carbs you can get. noodles and pasta have carbs, but they are generally low glycemic so they digest slowly and keep the blood sugar stable and somewhat low. HFCS is usually VERY high GI, and can cause a sugar spike which can cause an insulin spike, and have that all become fat.

Steve

[jr1228]

Thanks for bringing this up. I'm in the US, but I loathe eating out. I know lots of people who do it all of the time, but I try to avoid it as much as possible. It's especially bad since I have a lot of food sensitivities, so whenever I do eat out, I end up having to order a dish with only half the ingredients. I just don't understand how people can eat out so much... it feels so impersonal to me. I'd rather make it myself at home. It makes me laugh when people say they eat out because they don't have time to cook at home, and then they go spend an hour (or more) at a restaurant ordering, waiting for, and eating the meal.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by MissTerraK

Don't forget guys, that the models, and Hollywood stars -the beautiful people that the media practically drools over, have caused mental illness in a lot of women!

MissTerraK

I disagree with that. The 'beautiful people' did not cause women to have food issues. Women cause women to have food issues. Nobody in hollywood is making suzy homemaker in iowa throw up her food after she eats in an effort to be rail thin. Thats all suzy.

Some say 'its the women's magazines'. Well who reads those? I can't remember the last time me and my male friends were reading cosmo.

Nobody is harder on women than women.

[derekwong28]

Reading the original post again, I just realized that I eat out everyday. In fact, I can't remember the last time I ate 3 meals at home. I eat out for my breakfast, although it is a working breakfast where I do a lot of Internet work. I also eat out during lunch. For dinner I dine out 2 to 3 times per week. I also have regular snacks at KFC, Burger King or McDonald's after 9.00pm.

Right now the favorite place for breakfast is KFC, I find their surroundings very suitable for Interent work. We have got McDonalds, Burgerking, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and Pacific Coffee in the same shopping center nearby.

What worries me is how far American fast food chains and their local clones have penetrated and dominated in almost every country around the world. This includes countries like France, Italy, and China where there is a lot of culinary chavanism. I visited a mall in Cebu, Phillipins recently and almost single food outlet is a junk food outlet although they are runned mainly by local people based on American chains. This seems to be exporting obesity around the world, and this is definitely affecting me!

[Patrician]

Well, you are a doctor so you know it is not 'just' obesity, Derek - the sodium is enough to kill somebody, not even mentioning the fat, etc.

I was just thinking about an 'All You Can Eat' Chinese restaurant that was across the street from my last bank job. I miss it - I still go to that town for the dentist and beauty shop/hair cut and i usually go to my favorite Thai restaurant if I eat lunch to go.

Next time though I am going to the Chinese place - I can't remember the name. It is unique, not because all you can eat, in fact there are two in that vicinity - but it is unique because they have EVERYTHING on the planet, Chinese or otherwise.

All the Dim Sum and Sushi and Buffalo wings, and salads, cooked veges, fish, 5 kinds of chicken, pork, beef - sweet and sour, general's chicken, potatoes 3 ways, just everything on the planet - a whole buffet table just for desserts. Not a hamburger in the place though!

Oh man - you pay by the pound!!! Even if you are conservative like me and just take one each of a few things, you can just eat your heart out. Especially 'to go' it is fabulous to just pile it all in one styrofoam shell.

Only thing I miss about that job is lunch!

hmm, my mother always said I went to school to eat my lunch too.

Yep, it's a pattern.

I never eat out now that I work at home - saving lots of money and eating healthy! Lost at least 15 pounds and keeping it off.

[derekwong28]

Pat, I am taking medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and so salt is bad for me as well. But I just have not found enought self discipline yet. I took a course of Reductil for a few months and lost 6 lbs of weight. I am not sure whether I will continue with it.

All you can eat buffets are well ingrained in our culture, but it mainly involves Western food although usually we now find some Chinese, Japanese and Indian food in the same buffet. Today, I had a buffet at a revolving restaurant for around $12.00 and I ate as many small rock lobsters and roast rib eye as much as possible. Although Hong Kong has always been reputed to be one of the most expensive places to live, food is still relatively cheap here.

All you can eat Chinese buffets are now also very popular in London Chinatown. There are usually large queues at lunch at dinner times. However, you have to be careful with the Chinese food served at restaurants. Many use monosodium glutamate indiscrminately and some people may complain of headaches and other complaints afterwards.

Derek

[HeySal]

Time to fall in love with Celery Derek - naturally lowers bp, but you have to eat around 7 stalks a day. Also parsley, besides a lot of good nurients it's a diuretic and will keep you from retaining fluids that raise your bp. Lot of natural control for bp - and many of them also help choloestrol.

As far as MSG in food - they dump it in almost everything here in the states. Very scary and is causing a LOT of illness. Money rules here instead of concern for public health and corps can sell a lot more food if they can make it addictive.