Does Offering Smaller Portions At Restaurants Help People Eat Less?

I would so do smaller portions. I have such a hard time when I go out because I'm trying to determine: A-what could I have that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg because I won't finish all of it; and B-what could I have that isn't going to blow my numbers for the day.

A friend of mine suggested the kids menu. Well, the kids menu is generally loaded with junk. Mac n cheese, fried foods, more burgers. The healhy menu doesn't always appear that healthy. AND nine times out of ten, I won't eat the leftovers just because the meal isn't appealing that much the second day.

 Kid's menus are rotten -- sometimes you can find a baby-sized steak and greens or something, but usually it's CARBS.

I look at it this way: I am paying not only for the food but for the experience of eating out (that is, not having to prepare or clean up!!). I order what I want to eat at that moment....if it comes with sides I don't want to eat, I either tell them to leave it off OR offer it to one of my other dining companions. I do NOT like to waste food and I tell this to the server if they give me an odd look when I order my entree and ask to leave half the food off. I would never, EVER ask to have my price adjusted in this instance; however, when the bill arrives I usually discover I have been charged a smaller ala carte price.

My husband, who is not a native born American, is still SHOCKED (after 23 years in this country) at portion sizes and how difficult it is to get a smaller meal. Yes, I would be interested in healthier food AND healthier portions in restaurants and honestly would be willing to pay almost the same for them.

I have a kids menu at my restaurant, and don't discriminate that it has to be kids ordering being a wls person myself.  I can tell you, though, that the wls patients that come don't order from it.  Instead, they will pack up leftovers to take home.  Those customers that I know have small appetites, I offer to pack some ahead of time for them, which helps.  

I tell them "There are no bonus points for martyrdom - just put the fork down when you've had enough and ask for a box" when they see the mound of smoked meat on their plates.  They get the idea quite quickly.  

That all being said - I couldn't begin to tell you how many calories would be saved either way.

I am the ala carte girl when we go out. I do not believe I take my needs to the extreme, but I also see no point in putting food on my plate that is not going to be eaten.

If I go out with my kids, I order what I want, and get the sides to please them. (at 17 they can eat their own meal plus part of mine.. and still be tall thin kids)

If it is just hubby and I, we will split something. Not my favorite I hate to say, because we like really different foods and levels of doneness on the meats. I like eating out to get what I want.

If I end up out alone, or with coworkers. I order what looks good to me and build around it. I will order a single fish taco ala carte. I also try to use Yelp! ahead of time to understand if the establishment has a history of accomodating special requests. I don't feel overly picky. But I am the one paying for it, I have a right to order food that I will enjoy. And I don't fuss about the price, it is part of the going out experience.

 If we do breakfast -- I'm often a la carte girl.

Just bacon, please.

Bacon is not just for breakfast any more!

I like the idea of having less rice because I'm only going to eat a few spoonfuls of it, if that, and when I prepare my take-home box, I will leave most of the rice/pasta/potato on the plate. So it's just wasted food. But most places resist not giving you lots of that stuff. They'll give you none of it -- and replace it with veggies -- but it's hard to make them give you, say, half a serving.

I would also love it if restaurants would let you order a half order for a slightly reduced price. Not half price because I understand the labor is the same. But a slightly reduced price because sometimes I really can't deal with the leftovers, especially when traveling, and so anything I don't eat will go to waste.

I agree~

I ordered from the mini menu yesterday at California Kitchen and was so relieved to have it as an option. 

I have come to HATE eating out.  It overwhelms me.  Sometimes I don't order anything and just pick off of the plates of the rest of my family.

Smaller portions are good sense.  I saw salads leaving the kitchen yesterday for people's lunch that would have fed my whole family.  Ridiculous, really. 

There is a nationally known restaurant in Birch Run, MI, previously featured on Diners and Dives, called Tony's.  There is a pound of bacon on one BLT.  I am not entertained by this.  I think gluttony and it upsets me.  No one person should eat that much, even if they can.

We don't eat out that often either--five people is hard on a pocket-book.  But, my husband and I encourage sharing of meals.  We do it.  The kids do it.

 Well, that's the other reason we don't go out that often.

Six meals and drinks is easily $75+ for a single meal.  I hate waste.