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How Portions Sizes Have Grown Over The Years

Maggie LaBarbera • RN, MBA • Jun 13, 2012
 

Research shows that Americans are eating larger and larger portions. 

For example, twenty years ago a bagel was about 3 inches in diameter and 140 calories. Today’s bagels are about 6 inches in diameter, 350 calories and may count up to three or even four servings in the grains group.  This is just one example of how portions have grown larger over the years.
 
portion control larger portions
 
Serving sizes are often smaller than people think. In fact, Americans under-estimate the calories they consume each day by an average of 25 percent. A recent poll revealed that 70% of us felt the amount of food that we eat at home and the amount we are served at restaurants is considered a “normal” serving size. People are unaware that the portion sizes have increased over the years. In fact, the standard size plate used in restaurants has increased from 10 ½ inches to 12 inches.
 
20 Years Ago Portion Sizes

 Today's Portions

 Additional Calories
 1 muffin  (1.5 ounces)                         
210 calories
 1 muffin (4 ounces)  
                    500 calories

 290 calories

 2 slices of pepperoni pizza           
500 calories
2 slices of pepperoni pizza
     850 calories
 350 calories
 1 plate chicken cesear salad  (1 1/2 cups)   
                             390 calories
 1 plate chicken cesear salad  (3 1/2 cups) 
          790 calories
 400 calories
 1 slice cheesecake (3 ounces)    
                               260 calories
 1 slice cheesecake (7 ounces)
                 640 calories 
 350 calories
 1 chocolate cookie   1.5 inch diameter
                        55 calories
 1 chocolate cookie   3.5 inch diameter    
275 calories
 350 calories
 1 cheeseburger                      
333 calories
 1 cheeseburger
590 calories
 257 calories
 1 plate of spaghetti
1 cup - 3 small meatballs               
 500 calories
 1 plate of spaghetti
2 cups with 3 large meatballs
               1025 calories
 525 calories
 1 order of french fries   2.4 ounces
            210 calories
 1 order of french fries    6.9 ounces       
              610 calories 
 400 calories
1 bottle of soda 6.5 ounces    
               85 calories
1 bottle of soda    
20 ounces                250 calories
 165 calories
 1 turkey sandwich                    
320 calories
  1 turkey sandwich            
 820 calories
 500 calories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See All Our Nutrition Articles

 
Written by Maggie LaBarberaWritten on Jun 13, 2012Last updated on Oct 15, 2013
 
 

 

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