Portion Control

As discussed in class today, environment does play a significant role on our food consumption. I researched an article that compared the restaurant food portions of the United States with France. Findings show that although France may consume higher amounts of fat, food portions are significantly smaller. The size of American food portions at restaurants contribute greatly to the obesity epidemic. When one is out at a restaurant with friends, or family members their capacity to eat will be greater because eating becomes an entertaining factor. One will more likely continue to eat even though they are full.

Check out the article on American Portions and France Portions: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/08/030825073029.htm

I used to be one to eat late at night and have three large meals instead of smaller meals, but I successfully changed my eating patterns. I now eat slower and smaller meals during the course of the day. By eating slower it decreases my food intake because I learned in previous psychology courses that it takes twenty minutes for the brain to realize that your stomach is full.