I discovered REAL reason Americans are so FAT living in Japan for 5 yrs.

[UdoKier]

When I first got there and ordered a class of Coke, I was shocked (having grown up on Big Gulps) that the glass was about 6 oz. tops.

Food, too, was served in dainty servings , but was so beautifully prepared that it was always a joy. After a few years there, one becomes accustomed to the high quality and relatively small servings - and goes into culture shock upon returning home. So many of our "restaurants" are little more than troughs that we line up at like sows at feeding time.



The problem is that we are gourmands rather than gourmets.


Discuss.

[Menshevik]

1. since moving to the UK

I've become used to the one glass of coke with my meal (if I even order coke)...in the US, you go to a place like TGI Fridays and they refill your coke every time you take 2 sips!!!! It's crazy.

[tjwmason]

8. It's starting to change over here too

A little while ago 'Pizza Express' had to increase the size of its pizzas - all the other pizza restaurants had done so, and so they were losing business. I have seen a few places which offer free refills on drinks too.

The problem is that we eat what is given to us. There is a psychological (and sociological) problem with leaving food or drink which we do not want or need, but which is given to us.

[madrchsod]

2. you`re right

i don`t eat alot at one time but eat constantly thru the day. when i go out to eat i can`t eat half of the food they serve at most places. we over serve and over eat in this country.

[RagingInMiami]

3. When I lived in Europe for two years, I walked everywhere.

Everybody walks in Europe. The cities are built for pedestrians. Over here, with the exception of a few older cities, the cities are built for the automobile.
Although it was ten years ago when I lived in Europe, I weighed 170 and my waist size was 32, even though I ate very well because I worked in the restaurant business.
Today, I still eat well and I sometimes struggle with my weight. I've weighed as much as 200 pounds with a waist size of 36, but now I weigh 190 pounds and my waist size has dropped to a tight 34. My 36 jeans are too loose on me.

[TNDemo]

4. I completely agree.

While in France I enjoyed the smaller servings and nice presentation of the food (except for breakfast, which usually sucked). We just plain each too much. I guess it is more of the consumer mentality - Look how much we are getting for our money! We have to feel like we are getting a bargain or something.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Absolutely! And most Americans are also slovenly.

We like our food trough dining, we like our excessively chemicaled food, we like it fast, and we hate getting our of our cars and being forced to walk to it.

[tridim]

6. You're correct..

It's the method I use to stay trim.. No diets, no worries about fat. I just went out to lunch with my parents and they were shocked that I only ate half of my BBQ beef sandwich. That kind of attitude is the exact problem with American eating habits. There's no law that says you have to finish your meal by stuffing yourself until you feel ill.

"Clean your plate" is also horrible parental advice.

[Cadence]

7. Oh for sure, portion size in this country is out of control!

I've never had a weight problem but I only eat when I'm hungry.. so if once a day is all I'm hungry for that's all I eat, or if it's five times I eat that many times, so it changes day to day. But I only eat until I'm full, which is usually less than half of what they give me at restaurants.
I don't control anything, I eat real butter, I don't deprive, I don't do the emotional eating thing. Just only when hungry, then only until full.
It's amazing when you do this, really how little your body actually requires to run everyday. We have become a nation of excess and obsessed with a lifestyle rather than having a quality life.

[Nikia]

9. I guess that I'd have to get water at places like that

For some reason, my body uses a lot of water. I get dehydrated, especially in the winter time, if I don't drink a lot. I hate going to restaurants that don't provide free refills and overfill the glass with ice because I end up having to spend $8-$10 on soda. I don't mind big portions because I can take home the rest and have it for lunch the next day. When I was younger and ran, I would have become more underweight than I was if it weren't for the occaisional meal out if large portions or the all you can eat buffet.
People probably cook more at home. One of the reasons that so many people eat out a lot is that they do get quite a bit of food for their money. Althoug it is still cheaper to cook at home most of the time when you figure in things like time, the restaurant with large portions seems like a good deal.

[HEyHEY]

10. My mother says that too

ABout AMericans. She said she couldn't believe the portion sizes in the US