Portion distortion
How do you know if you’re eating too much? It’s a question that’s bothering Australian health experts, who have found that many of us are piling over-large portions onto our plates, with restaurants serving up larger and larger meals to customers. Dr David Cameron-Smith, a researcher at Deakin University’s department of food science in Melbourne, confirms that the food industry is serving up cheap food in larger and larger portions, meaning that many of us are eating more than we need. “The aim of the global food industry is to supply us with more food, but the population isn’t growing anywhere near the level of food sales,” he says. “The rate of food consumption is exceeding the growth of the Australian population.” Dr Cameron-Smith explains that overeating is happening in all facets of society—from restaurants to burger chains and even our own kitchens. “In today’s restaurant culture you expect to walk away from a meal feeling beyond-full, and supermarkets sell bite-size foods designed to be eaten on the go, so you think you’re not consuming as much,” he says. Sunday Herald Sun, April 27.
