We all love food, it is our source of fuel, to some of us it lifts our mood while others try their best
to manage the calories that are consumed, which seems impossible in the United States.
When I first went to Europe, specifically Spain, I was taken aback by the difference in
portion size. A really popular plate in Spain is tapas, they are small bits of different appetizers.
Here in the US you go to any restaurant and you will order an appetizer that will come in a full
size plate, as if it was your main course. On top of the full size appetizer, we all order our main
meal to have afterwards, which in Europe it’s not common. Most people order several tapas to
share among who they are with and don’t actually order a main course. My mom specifically
complained how the prices are very similar to here in the US but portions are way smaller,
thinking we aren’t getting our money’s worth.
It is statistically proven that our portions in the U.S. are way bigger than those in Europe,
which also affect our health. According to The Contribution of Expanding Portion Sizes to the
US Obesity Epidemic by Journal of Public Health, marketplace portions have increased in size
and have exceeded federal standards. Portion sizes started to grow in the 1970s, rose in the
1980s, and have continued to increase along with body weights.
Continuing on the topic of our health and weight, it can get very hard to control our own
body when we have already adapted our bodies to big portions, everyday or almost everyday.
Based on Jill Karson’s book, Issues in Society, it says, “Many doctors and other health
advocates agree that sustained weight loss—or preventing weight gain in the first place—is so
difficult because today’s food industry has created an environment that leads to overeating. The
last few decades have seen the explosive growth of highly caloric, cheap, processed
foods—sugary breakfast cereals, frozen pizzas, burgers, fries, sugary sodas, and an endless
variety of snack foods and other convenience foods.”
If we don’t fix our overeating habits, it can lead to major health problems, on top of the
problems we already have. Family members, family friends, and people I know that have
immigrated to the US have expressed how they have gained weight in a skyrocketing manner.
When they first get here they see all this food that’s available to them 24/7, which is also very
different from Europe.
In Spain when we wanted to have a snack or stop by a place to eat in the afternoon, all
places were closed. There was no food served after a certain time because everyone would go
home to take naps, meaning restaurants and cafes were only open for a certain time. This really
helps to control the consumption of food in these countries, which is not controlled in the US
because we have constant access to food, even past midnight.
Another big issue that ties in with the oversized portions is that even if we eat big
amounts, many don’t exercise, which affects their health even more. Eating and exercise goes
together.
According to Mayo Clinic, it says, “Research has shown that people almost always eat
more food when offered larger portions. So portion control is important when you’re trying to
lose weight and keep it off.”
America has been struggling for quite some time with their struggle between the right
food portions and what is actually served, it’s become pretty impossible to know which is right
and wrong at this point. Don’t forget “bigger isn’t always better”.
