Restaurant portion sizes are huge

[Paq]

Does anyone else find this? Went to a pub/restaurant last night and the portion sizes were insane. I managed a third of my salad, brought the rest home and shared it with DH for lunch today. DD got through half her curry and 6'1" hollow legged DH just about managed to finish his risotto but then felt overstuffed all night.

Leave it for the bin?

A quick google search tells me that restaurants produce 199,100 tons of food waste every year. That is a disgusting amount of food getting thrown out - and 41% of customers said that restaurants are putting too much food on their plates. Really good info on how restaurants can help to reduce this waste on that site - eat-drink-sleep.com/2019/03/19/food-waste-from-uk-restaurants-and-cafes/

@grasstreeleaf why have all the courses though , just stick to one course

@RampantIvy
Do you have the recipe for the puy lentil salad please, it sounds right up my street.

I wasn't sure about the term 'overfaced' so looked it up. It means overwhelmed as is the case here. But it also means intimidating. An intimidating salad .

Restaurants portion should be suitable for a 6ft tall man with an appetite. I am not a 6ft tall man, so I don't eat to eat everything. What's the issue?

People would moan if you had the choice of "medium" or "extra" sizes, complaining they would have to pay more to feel full.

@grasstreeleaf why have all the courses though , just stick to one course

I like the variety. Preferably with a small glass of wine which matches the course, mineral water alongside and a coffee afterwards. I'm a foodie, always have been. I can cook. I have 2 courses everyday at home. A large volume of food doesn't impress me. Good food does. I'm also concerned about optimum nutrition. I'm active and exercise daily so it all should be within the realms of possibility when I eat out occasionally.

@eightyfourandahalf

Restaurants portion should be suitable for a 6ft tall man with an appetite. I am not a 6ft tall man, so I don't eat to eat everything. What's the issue?

People would moan if you had the choice of "medium" or "extra" sizes, complaining they would have to pay more to feel full.

Maybe there could be a menu with portion sizes relating to sex and height? The waiter could get the tape measure out to be sure.

Restaurants portion should be suitable for a 6ft tall man with an appetite.

The population is not made up mainly of this demographic. It would be much more suitable for him to order an extra large portion than me order a child's portion or pensioner's meal or starter or find someone to share with or leave half my food - since the portions are suitable for less than half the population and the nation has an obesity problem.

Maybe there could be a menu with portion sizes relating to sex and height? 
The waiter could get the tape measure out to be sure.

These days you would just have to self identify with that so no need for tape measures. But having the choice of portion would certainly work.

People would moan if you had the choice of "medium" or "extra" sizes, complaining they would have to pay more to feel full.

Well maybe they need to recognise their feeling 'full' is not necessarily a healthy amount of food to eat.

No @grasstreeleaf* it would be very strict indeed. Tape measure absolutely required.
The 6 foot tall man would not be allowed the five foot tall ladies portion. They could have one of those theme park height things perhaps-'you have to be this tall to have this size meal'. No exceptions.

Well, I would be ok. Not sure everyone else would be. @Sparklingbrook.

@grasstreeleaf

People would moan if you had the choice of "medium" or "extra" sizes, complaining they would have to pay more to feel full.

Well maybe they need to recognise their feeling 'full' is not necessarily a healthy amount of food to eat.

Why are you automatically assuming that it isn’t a healthy amount for them? You’ve acknowledged that people of different statures and lifestyles have different calorie requirements. Those at the top ends need more food.

@grasstreeleaf

Well, I would be ok. Not sure everyone else would be. @Sparklingbrook.

Well as long as you're ok...

Maybe short people with big appetites could pair up with tall people who eat like mice. Then share. If that's allowed.

Those at the top ends need more food.

Well, since we have an obesity problem in this country it won't be the majority. I'm practically an amateur athlete with the amount of exercise I do everyday and I don't require that much!

@IHaveBrilloHair

Warm Lentil and Feta Salad (serves 2)

I pack Merchant Gourmet cooked Puy lentils
1 medium red onion, sliced
Some sprigs of thyme
Extra virgin olive oil
200g feta cheese
Small handful fresh mint, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees C, gas mark 6
• Place some kitchen foil on a baking sheet and place half the onions on it, sprinkle with thyme, drizzle on some olive oil and season with black pepper
• Place the feta cheese (in one piece) on top, then cover with the rest of the onion, thyme, olive oil and season with more pepper
• Scrunch the foil loosely over the top to seal, then bake for 20 – 25 minutes
• Heat the Puy lentils and dress with extra virgin olive oil, and add the chopped mint. Season to taste
• Divide the lentils onto two plates, then place the feta and onions on top
• Serve with flatbreads or pitta bread

Why are you automatically assuming that it isn’t a healthy amount for them? You’ve acknowledged that people of different statures and lifestyles have different calorie requirements. Those at the top ends need more food

Because more than half the UK population are overweight, meaning they need excess calories to feel full - which is not the same has consuming the correct calorie requirements - and because 4 in 10 people say that restaurants put too much food on their plates.

Maybe short people with big appetites could pair up with tall people who eat like mice. Then share.  If that's allowed.

I really don't care. My idea is just to have a choice of portion size. Very simple. You're the one trying to dictate rules.

@grasstreeleaf

Those at the top ends need more food.

Well, since we have an obesity problem in this country it won't be the majority. I'm practically an amateur athlete with the amount of exercise I do everyday and I don't require that much!

How does your calorie requirement influence mine?

I really don't care

That's not coming across TBF. I am merely musing about the 6 foot tall man thing. I don't think my 'eat by height' restaurant is viable TBH people would get around my dictated rules probably.

Dh & I had a deliciously retro meal in a gastro pub yesterday.

We shared garlic mushrooms which were a real blast from the past, I can't remember when I last ate them. We v rarely see tye m on a menu here these days

Then striploin steak with fried onions, very good whiskey peppercorn sauce & a small bowl of chips & v nice salad

Dh fancied dessert so we shared sticky toffee pudding which came with ice cream

The portions were not huge, I'd say they were sensible for a restaurant & we ate everything, no waste & we were nicely full but not stuffed.

I don't think I would take home salad leftovers & either way I would not want to eat guacamole & hummus in the same dish - that's not a great combination for me

@PurpleDaisies, I'd be interested to know what your daily calories requirement is and your height and weight and how you achieve the calorie burn you seem to be claiming requires these oversized restaurant/pub portions.

Because my body isn't magic. And I assume we are both human and have been assuming you are female. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

@Sparklingbrook, my reference to 6ft tall men is because I know how sex, height and muscle mass can affect calorie requirements. However, the population is not made up of mainly 6ft tall muscular men, so why are portions catered to this demographic?

I agree, especially pubs that do burgers, steaks etc.

Just don't eat it all if it's too much!

I wouldn't take salad home with me but I would wrap up leftover steak or burger for later and we often do with my 12 year old who doesn't want a little kids meal but the adults portion is a bit much for her.

@grasstreeleaf

@Sparklingbrook, my reference to 6ft tall men is because I know how sex, height and muscle mass can affect calorie requirements. However, the population is not made up of mainly 6ft tall muscular men, so why are portions catered to this demographic?

I live with three men over 6 feet tall so I'm ok.