3 ms·

>My conclusion: obesity is caused by some combination of excessive portion sizes + over-processed food. I disagree on portion sizes, based on my experiences in

by Nadya 10y ago

>My conclusion: obesity is caused by some combination of excessive portion sizes + over-processed food. I disagree on portion sizes, based on my experiences in Japan. In Japan - there is far less sugary products and they are less popular than in the states. (eg: soda). Even many of their "desserts" aren't that sugary (or tasty IMO...) I stayed with a family during my time there. During home cooked meals it wasn't uncommon to have several servings - often times totaling more food than I'd ever eat in the States! While I would politely decline past the second serving [0] on the grounds of being full, the family I was staying with would often have several servings each. It was so much food! It felt like instead of one "double-size" serving they would have six "half sized" servings (slightly exaggerating # of servings). I ate less than everyone in the family - they even commented on the fact many times! They were surprised I would always be full before they were and had expected an American to always be hungry (because of the "smaller portions" of Japan). I also ate with other families/visited other foreigners my family knew and it was always the same! Smaller portions but way more servings! Restaurant serving sizes were more or less equal to the States except the drinks which felt like the largest sizes were equivalent to a kid's cup or a water cup you'd get at a fast food joint in the states. I was perpetually thirsty in Japan. Also Japanese people walk/bike nearly everywhere as the public transport via trains is very practical and very convenient. The exercise certainly adds up. [0] Always have seconds if the cook offers!

soundwave106 10y ago
America does have a "excessive portion size" problem per se, but "appropriate portion" should vary depending on what you are eating. In America, it often doesn't. It's pretty easy to Google 2500+ calorie monstrosities that are served as a dinner in American restaurants. We have pastas with rich sauces (lots of butter, oils, or sugar), dishes with excessive cheese, and large amounts of deep fried ingredients... and many places serve a heck of a lot of this when you go out to eat. Other countries have rich foods too, but my experience is that many cultures with very rich food often go light on the portion size (France comes to mind). Another set of countries have cuisine that normally is not very rich or excessively sweet (like you mention with Japan and the lack of sugary products). In many cases the food is flavored with spice instead of fats and sugars. For these type of foods, I bet you could easily match the portion size of one of those big American restaurant meals, and come nowhere near the calories. Another factor that probably doesn't help here is that America seems more soda oriented than many cultures, and that excessive use of sugar even applies to other drinks all down the chain (my impression is that other cultures use way less sugar on coffee, tea, alcoholic cocktails...). It all adds up.

by Nadya 10y ago

soundwave106 10y ago

America does have a "excessive portion size" problem per se, but "appropriate portion" should vary depending on what you are eating. In America, it often doesn't. It's pretty easy to Google 2500+ calorie monstrosities that are served as a dinner in American restaurants. We have pastas with rich sauces (lots of butter, oils, or sugar), dishes with excessive cheese, and large amounts of deep fried ingredients... and many places serve a heck of a lot of this when you go out to eat. Other countries have rich foods too, but my experience is that many cultures with very rich food often go light on the portion size (France comes to mind). Another set of countries have cuisine that normally is not very rich or excessively sweet (like you mention with Japan and the lack of sugary products). In many cases the food is flavored with spice instead of fats and sugars. For these type of foods, I bet you could easily match the portion size of one of those big American restaurant meals, and come nowhere near the calories. Another factor that probably doesn't help here is that America seems more soda oriented than many cultures, and that excessive use of sugar even applies to other drinks all down the chain (my impression is that other cultures use way less sugar on coffee, tea, alcoholic cocktails...). It all adds up.