The Food Chain Portion size: How much should you eat?
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Oct 1, 2025 Lisa Young, a registered dietitian and author, explores the alarming rise of portion sizes and the impact of ultra-processed foods on public health. Lenny Vartanian, a psychology professor, delves into how larger portion sizes can trick our brains into eating more, even when we're aware of it. Together, they discuss cultural differences in portion sizes across countries, the confusion caused by serving labels, and practical strategies for managing portions. Tune in for insights on how to re-evaluate what's on your plate!
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Lunch Orders Show Size Gap
- Natalie in New York ordered 20 chicken nuggets and a much larger soda than Ruth in the UK. Lisa had an even bigger extra-large cake and an 800 ml drink, illustrating cross-country size differences.
How Portions Got Supersized
- Lisa Young traces portion growth to the 1980s, driven by more eating out and competitive upsizing. Firms charged little extra for much larger portions and exploited the psychology of single-item purchases.
Americanization Targets Processed Foods
- Marle Alvarenga found Brazil mirroring US trends mainly in processed and packaged foods, not traditional dishes. Imported American-style products pushed larger serving sizes in cinemas, shops and fast-food outlets.
