portion sizes

[Boo]

Some of the talk in the other thread about limiting carbs reminded me of my trip to Wendy's the other day with the boys. Let me preface by saying that I am in no way a health nut (obviously as I am taking my kids to Wendy's). I could stand to lose 10-15 pounds, and frankly love food, especially that which is not good for me! But having to deal with type 1 D over the past 2 years has obviously made me more sensitive to carb counting (so, basically, I still put the food in my mouth, but now I am much more aware of the astronomical amount of carbs I am inhaling).

Anyways...back to Wendy's...is anybody else thoroughly appalled by the portion sizes at fast food restaurants these days?! My sons are just on the verge of outgrowing the kids meals and have started ordering off of the regular menu. They talked me into getting them "medium" combos. OMG!!! The sodas are like 24 ounces!! And the "medium" fries are the equivalent of the "jumbos" from when I was a kid. I realize I must sound like Morgan Spurlock ("Super-size Me"), or worse yet, my mother!!

No wonder we (the U. S.) are such an overweight nation! I just am concerned that my kids are growing up to think that these portion sizes are "normal"!

[BrendaK]

Have you watched SuperSize Me? DH and I watched it 2 months ago and haven't eaten fast food since. (DH has lost 10 pounds from that!!)

We told the kids that we weren't eating fast food anymore because it wasn't healthy and it can make you very sick if you eat too much of it. Carson is quite the germ-a-phobic and has also gotten sick from eating too much fast food grease, so he was fine with that!

I admit, that I did take them to the playland the other day just to get out of the house!!

I totally agree that portion sizes are completely out of control. And unfortunately, it IS "normal" in this country. It's up to us, the parents, to educate our kids on what is healthy!! And I also think it's important to practice what you preach. Your kids will do what you do, not what you say!! (That's easier said than done, isn't it ?)

[hrermgr]

We don't go out for fast food often but recently, I stopped at Wendy's while running errands over lunch (love their salads) and noticed just how HUGE a small fry was! Yes, the sizes have gotten very big!

I also took my girls to Wendy's on Saturday because we were shopping. While ordering, I noticed there are healther options for kids meals and of course, combo meals. I went for a side salad with my grilled chicken sandwich! But the girl's opted for fries. Oh, well! Since we don't go very often, I don't mind! But seriously, the portions do not need to be so big!

[selketine]

We tend to stop at McDonalds when we are traveling (because of William's peanut allergy - usually a safe restaurant for him). The fast food places have added some good choices to their meals (like apples and oranges, etc) but I totally agree with the portions - way too much. The fries that come with the medium combo could feed 3 of us easily. I usually just leave all those extra fries in the bag and throw them out!

Remember those 7/11 commercials for their Big Gulp?

Regular restaurants are just as bad usually - I almost always get 2 meals out of anything I order.

[Boo]

That's a good point about the healthier foods being added to the menus. That is a plus, but unfortunately, my kids don't choose those. My husband and I will get salads, but I suppose I wouldn't have opted for a salad as a kid either! It seems the more I try to emphasize the healthier eating, the more my kids seem to rebel against it. Hopefully it is just thier age!!

[hold48398]

I couldn't agree more!!! Where I'm from (Switzerland) you could feed an entire nation with the portion sizes you get here!!!! I just about dropped to the ground when I saw the "small" soda I ordered at the movie theatre the other day....OH MY GOSH!!!!! Yeah, I hear you with the fast food, too. The kids do have Mc Donalds about once a week or every other week, and it is a special treat for them...at least I find that the chicken nuggets happy meals aren't that big. I just eat the extra fries ;-). There is no way they would choose the healthy apples over the fries LOL. I just make sure that they eat a balanced diet in between.

[thebestnest5]

nutrtionists cringe....Weight Watchers is all over that, too. Obesity is a killer. I sometimes wonder if the fact that type 2 diabetes in childhood is near epidemic proportions...Is it partially due to the fastfood, large portion lifestyles our bellies and eyes are all getting accustomed too? I have gone through my own stages of unhealthy eating...but I know when I feel energetic and healthy and when I don't....plus I would only have myself to blame...my mom insisted on a healthy diet and I thank her for that frequently. The first time I ate at McDonald's was when I was a teenager...then I got my first apartment when I was 18 and McDonald's was a block away...All my clothes got tight! :eek: I was shocked! I know that was a portions sizes problem. I am thankful that some of the restaurants are focusing on healthier choices; because it's fun and a nice break to "eat out" once in a while.

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Sheree

[Mary Lou]

I couldn't agree more! My kids order their kid's meals and I dish out 1/2 of the fries only. If they are still hungry afterward, they can have a granola bar or piece of fruit or whatever I have in the truck.

I grew up in Canada (which is facing its own obesity crisis) and there are a few things here in the US I just can't ever seem to get over. A big problem for me is the school cafeteria or restaurants serving potato or corn chips with a meal -- when did those become actual *food* and not an occasional snack?

BTW -- check this link out, those fast-food salads at McDonald's aren't as healthy as you might think. Of course, the article features a "crispy" chicken salad, which anyone can figure out is unhealthy because it is deep fried and breaded, but still -- *MORE* fat and calories than a Big Mac?! Yikes!!

http://www.pcrm.org/health/reports/fastfood_salads.html

We watched the "Super-size Me" movie, too, and fast-food has become a once-a-month (at the most) event. I love the convenience of fast-food, but I'm starting to buy into the fact that it's just not worth it.

[BrendaK]

I had the Calorie King book out at dinner last night to figure out some carb counts. After dinner I started flipping through it just for kicks to look at some of the foods in popular restaurants. Holy Cow!!! The calories in foods at McDonalds looks like you're on a diet compared to some of the other restaurants!!

One place had a small fries at 900 calories, medium at 1100, and large at 2200!!!!! (I don't think it was a misprint because the carbs matched up too.) At another popular restaurant, the Turtle Sundae had 1500 calories and around 150 carbs.

I get used to just looking at the carb count and forget I should be looking at the calories, too!!

[hrermgr]

The Calorie King book is a great resource and eye-opener for fast food! It is amazing how many carbs are in some of the fast food out there. Really scares me -- especially for the families who eat fast food on a regular basis. I do believe there is a link with fast food and type 2 diabetes, along with computer games, XBox, PS2, cable/satellite TV, etc. Our society has become too lazy--my opinion, of course!

[RobinKop]

I found this out a few years ago when I was doing Weight Watchers. It's sad but true.

I actually order from the kids menu most of the time for myself. You should see the looks I get when I carry my Happy Meal in to work! ;)

Luckily, I can be satisfied with a Happy Meal and the WW thing worked for me. Happy Meals are cheaper & Kim get's a toy when I pick her up at daycare! ;) I can't imagine ordering from the Super-Sized menu anymore!

[aidensmom23]

It is definitely crazy. And you have to be careful because they are constantly trying to Supersize or Biggie size you. I do have a question though. Aiden is 2 1/2. We get McDonald's about once a week. Quite frankly I need the break sometimes and it is the only thing that I can guarantee we won't fight about (I just started reading Sweet Kids). Anyway, he only eats the nuggets and will then have milk and maybe some fruit. How many nuggets do you think is appropriate? I think 4 should be good but he seems hungry after that and easily eats 6 of them if I let him.

[RobinKop]

Kim is 4 but she is tiny for her age. She usually eats 4 nuggets and then the fries and that puts us at 45 carbs so she drinks water with it and that seems to satisfy her.

French fries do drive her readings up for a while so I usually try to "steal" some of her fries so she gets a "light" small. I can also usually distract Kim with the toy and playland and fill her up with water!

I think it would be a lot harder for a boy with a larger appetite. I do believe in letting kids be kids, and letting the eat similarly to how you would have let them eat prior to D. (Within reason.)

I'm a horrible Mom and we all eat at McDs way too much. :eek:

Good luck!