For portion control, look to the container

[LabRat]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Cans [used to] contain 440ml ... Now the sandwich shops all carry 500ml bottles. I drink it all (and burp all afternoon).

And they do this for profit.

Why shouldn't they take some responsibility? Why would Burger King put the Enormous Omelet Sandwich on their menu? Because they know there are people out there who don't have enough self control to resist breakfasting on 730 calories and 46gr of fat.

How does putting more in a container make more profit for a company? Wouldn't making smaller containers, and charging same price, or changing ounces per serving and thus lowing calories 'per serving' then advertising **now less calories per serving** tend to do that better?

I have never worked for fast food in a restaurant or at corporate level, but I highly doubt that they are thinking, Ooohhh, how can we add calories to this to make people fatter? More likely, they have suppliers who make a size of something based on their machines and so that's what size things are. To change sizes to smaller would mean lots of manufacturing changes, costing $$, as well as redesigning packaging (again costing more $$).

Personally, I don't think companies should be required to take anything out of the marketplace because a few people don't have enough self control. Be it casinos, adult entertainment shops or fast food restaurants.

If there is no demand, or all the consumers eat themselves so fat they can't get off the couch, then they will close on their own. But the fact is, there is enough of us 'normal, average' joes who CAN control ourselves and only partake occasionally of certain 'sins' that frankly I don't want to be deprived of the opportunity if I so desire. Why should you be punished for my lack of ability to self regulate? Or vice versa.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by LabRat

I have never worked for fast food in a restaurant or at corporate level, but I highly doubt that they are thinking, Ooohhh, how can we add calories to this to make people fatter? More likely, they have suppliers who make a size of something based on their machines and so that's what size things are. To change sizes to smaller would mean lots of manufacturing changes, costing $$, as well as redesigning packaging (again costing more $$).

Places like McDonalds make huge profits on supersizing because the food is so cheap. The biggest cost of your food at McD's is the wage of the workers at the restaurant. They can give you twice the fries for just 39 cents more and still make a huge prifit because you are already there at the franchise using the time of the staff. That overhead wage cost remains constant whether you order a 99 cent burger or a $5 supersized value meal. The only additional cost for the extra supersize portion is the food itself. And it is almost pure profit.

[Sundae]

[Deleted part as it was explained better by Glatt]

Do I believe companies are deliberately adding calories to make people fatter? No, I'm not that much of a conspiracy theorist. There is no logical reason for that unless they are run by aliens sent to create easy pickings for their hungry planet.

But I do think that they are acting irresponsibly in not considering the amount of calories and fat in their products, and making it simpler and easier for people to buy large amounts of food/ drink they would not choose if everything were sold separately? Yes I do.

The same criticism has been levelled at pubs & bars in this country that offer special deals on alcohol, especially during limited hours (buy 2 get one free for the next hour, all shots double for the next hour etc) then turf the whole sodden drunken mess out on the streets for the Police to deal with. It's not that alcohol should be banned. It's not that city centre pubs shouldn't be allowed to compete with eachother. It's just that if you give a drunk person a chance to drink more and drink quickly using a special promotion they will take it.

If you offer a fat person a chance of a ready made burger with bacon AND cheese AND another burger in there too and then package it all up with extra large fries and an extra large drink they will take you up on the offer. That's why they're fat in the first place - they haven't learned to modify their eating habits.

No I don't want these places forced to reduce sizes, or the pubs forced to sell smaller measures of beer or spirits. I would just like to see some responsibility in the way it's approached. Let people build their own meals, their own burgers. Offer mix & match so the extra large fries don't automatically come with the biggest burger. Offer 1 soft drink with every 2 alcoholic ones in a bar.

For the record, I'm not trying to palm off responsibility for people being fat onto those who make and sell high fat products. I certainly make my own choices and accept the responsibility fully, and believe other people should too. And other people includes the people behind the promotions. I just like the idea of corporations sitting and shrugging and saying, "Well, no-one's holding a gun to their head!" Kerching!

[LabRat]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Let people build their own meals, their own burgers. Offer mix & match so the extra large fries don't automatically come with the biggest burger.

Around here everything on a 'value meal' menu (combo meal etc.) is also available separately. If you purchased each separately it would just cost you more. Just because you are craving a big mac, you don't have to get fries and a soda. In fact, when my daughter and I go to McD's I usually get the 2 cheesburger/fries/drink (iced tea) regular sized and a chocolate milk OR the chix nuggets/fries/drink (iced tea) regular sized and chocolate milk and split either with my daughter. For the record, the first time I ever gave her nuggets, I peeled off the batter part, since it has 0 nutrients and most of the fat. Now, she won't eat them unless I do this .

[Ibby]

YES, it IS a marketing ploy, and YES, they CAN make more money on it, but THAT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. You can't blame them if you fall for it and voluntarily eat their food they sold to you fairly.

Selling what the majority of the people want is not a ploy... it is just smart.
I agree, it is not their fault if people eat too much... like saying it is the fault of a bakery for selling whole cakes... makes NO sense.