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Original poster

Restaurant portion sizes are huge

800 replies

Paq · 31/07/2021 22:05

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.

OP posts:
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9
grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 21:51

Depends on where you go, the more expensive the restaurant the smaller the portion!

And you wonder why being thin and rich is a thing?

MaMelon · 01/08/2021 21:51

And on that note I’m off to bed. Night all Smile

gogohm · 01/08/2021 21:52

@grasstreeleaf

So trueGrin. That and the personal trainer to motivate you

dementedma · 01/08/2021 21:52

It has never occurred to me to bring a doggy bag home. That seems really tacky

EspressoDoubleShot · 01/08/2021 21:52

@grasstreeleaf clearly you calorie count and have opinion on portion size
Most people don’t eat out like that, or need told how calories add up, because

  1. They’re not counting calories
  2. They probably want a the experience and conviviality of being in a restaurant without stressing about oversized portions. In all likelihood they’ll eat what the want, and leave the rest on the plate to be cleared after service
Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2021 21:53

@grasstreeleaf

Well produced Carveries and buffets (with a good turnover) are ideal. But it isn't the only option I don't think. A tiered system of portion sizes would work IMO.
Your option is going to need a march on Downing Street or a petition or a letter to Jamie Oliver at this rate.
FizziWater · 01/08/2021 21:53

When anyone mentions calories I assume they are a life long dieter. I have no idea how many calories are in anything or how many calories are "good" or "bad", let alone how many calories I "burn".
I eat what I want but I presume I don't eat too much as I've never been overweight. In a restaurant I would be disappointed with a tiny portion but if it was too large I just eat as much as I want.

grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 21:54

Maybe it's inverted snobbery that encourages people to boast how much they want to eat...
Or elitists that just want to keep the proles down!

LolaSmiles · 01/08/2021 21:55

EspressoDoubleShot
Sadly I don't, but I have been known to take half a scone with me wrapped in a napkin. I like scones and am too lazy to bake them myself most of the time. Smile

Unfortunately I seem to frequent the wrong kind of pubs and restaurants so have no need for a bag of tupperware for the horrifyingly ginormous portions.

EspressoDoubleShot · 01/08/2021 21:55

Where are these whole threads? Certainly not this one, and definitely not across MN as a standard feature
Mn perennial, that’s why they are often referenced
Just because you've not seen them doesn’t mean they’re not a repetitive theme

grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 21:56

Most people don’t eat out like that, or need told how calories add up, because

...they are overweight and in denial.

LauraFlashley · 01/08/2021 21:56

@grasstreeleaf

Restaurants can't win. Better off to get a bit more and leave what you don't want or get a doggy bag.

Or get a bit less and order either sides or an extra large portion.

Or if you're so offended by a particular restaurant's portion size then just don't go there.

There's an awful lot of angst on this thread. Go to a fancy restaurant, pay more and get served much less. That's how it seems to work.

LolaSmiles · 01/08/2021 21:56

I eat what I want but I presume I don't eat too much as I've never been overweight. In a restaurant I would be disappointed with a tiny portion but if it was too large I just eat as much as I want
Same here, but common sense doesn't go very far on a MN food thread.

Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2021 21:56

@FizziWater

When anyone mentions calories I assume they are a life long dieter. I have no idea how many calories are in anything or how many calories are "good" or "bad", let alone how many calories I "burn". I eat what I want but I presume I don't eat too much as I've never been overweight. In a restaurant I would be disappointed with a tiny portion but if it was too large I just eat as much as I want.
Many a nice meal ruined by calorie bores. Or how many 'sins' or WW points things are. I am not on their diet so get a bit Hmm
grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 21:57

Well, maybe not but it's the third option and highly likely given the uk's population.

Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2021 21:59

common sense doesn't go very far on a MN food thread

It really doesn't does it? It's so odd.

EspressoDoubleShot · 01/08/2021 22:00

@grasstreeleaf

Most people don’t eat out like that, or need told how calories add up, because

...they are overweight and in denial.

No. Because they don’t have issues and don’t calorie count Presuming others to be in denial is a really skewed way of seeing food. It says a lot about you. Your pejorative terms and calorie counting For most people food is a social,and nutritional event to be enjoyed. Not something to be counted or weighed
grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 22:01

Many a nice meal ruined by calorie bores. Or how many 'sins' or WW points things are. I am not on their diet so get a bit 

I don't mention it at a restaurant. But oh for such a stress free life. I guess you've never had any weight related health problems? Cancer, sciatica? Which weight is a definite factor. Not nice. Tbh it's an achievement to want to go to a restaurant with all that without a pandemic. But I do like good food and good company.

grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 22:05

Not something to be counted or weighed

I'm thankful for weighing and counting. It got me back much needed erpective and allowed me to take control. I went from having cancer and sciatica and a BMI of 27, fat percentage of over 40 percent to a functional back, being cancer free as far as we can tell for 3 years, a BMI of 18.5 and fat percentage of 23% and being able to run 10k! I honestly don't mind a bit of counting a weighing. But I do like food still!

grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 22:07

And if you look at the percentages my lowest point is not at all unusual.

LolaSmiles · 01/08/2021 22:10

It really doesn't does it? It's so odd
It most definitely doesn't.
Any hint of being a bog standard human who is capable of eating more some days than others, enjoying a meal out and not over-eating later, is mind-blowing.

Some days I have a big breakfast, other days I go for a run and have brunch when I get back so miss lunch, some days I have smaller breakfast and lunch but a large dinner, some days I have snacks and others I don't. Most of the time I cook healthy meals from scratch, some days i have takeaways and shh some weeks it happens more than once It's so confusing working out whether I'm a glutton or have an eating disorder.

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 01/08/2021 22:11

I think restaurant portions are always too small Sad, teeny tiny portions of veg

Especially salads are always stupidly tiny

I dream of a salad too big to finish, can you tell me where that was?

Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2021 22:13

@LolaSmiles

It really doesn't does it? It's so odd It most definitely doesn't. Any hint of being a bog standard human who is capable of eating more some days than others, enjoying a meal out and not over-eating later, is mind-blowing.

Some days I have a big breakfast, other days I go for a run and have brunch when I get back so miss lunch, some days I have smaller breakfast and lunch but a large dinner, some days I have snacks and others I don't. Most of the time I cook healthy meals from scratch, some days i have takeaways and shh some weeks it happens more than once It's so confusing working out whether I'm a glutton or have an eating disorder.

Yes the thought that anyone can be just self regulating their intake as they go along and exercise self control seem to be amazing revelations.
grasstreeleaf · 01/08/2021 22:19

Yes the thought that anyone can be just self regulating their intake as they go along and exercise self control seem to be amazing revelations.

I do self regulate which is why I know most pub and restaurant portions are too much. I do exercise self control which is why I order a starter for a main. But I dream of more choice, more variety of dishes.

I got overweight by just being around lots of people (men) who could eat more and not put on weight. I served myself the same portions as them.

But I turned it around and all I want is a bit more choice. And not to think when I go on holiday and will be eating out, shit that's half a stone I'll put on unless I can do all my running and walking or fast for these days when everyone else wants to eat out.

Sparklingbrook · 01/08/2021 22:20

But oh for such a stress free life

I don't understand what you are getting at with that comment. I just want to eat a meal without anyone pointing out how many WW points something is, or how many calories something is. I don't believe that has anything to do with stress.