By Sophia Hua, PhD
People eat and drink what’s set in front of them, even when it’s more than they intended or want. In one study, those who received portions that were 50% larger ate an average of 400 more calories in a day. That’s more than the calories found in two Krispy Kreme donuts. We know that more calories over time means weight gain. While excess weight gain is a complicated problem with myriad causes, reducing portion sizes is one harm reduction tool we have to address the problem.
Offering two sizes is a win for diners, public health, and even the restaurant industry. Americans now are eating out more than ever before, so for diners, ordering the smaller sized entrée means being shielded from the temptation to consistently overeat. If enough individuals eat fewer calories and less saturated fat and sodium, that will have public health benefits. In turn, the restaurant industry can capitalize on a technique currently used by big beverage and snack brands. That is, rather than getting more people to buy a soda, they offer more sizes of that soda to accommodate various occasions and types of consumers.