Regular Portions Really 'Super-Sized'

Diet experts have been saying it for years, and now an official study confirms: That “single serving” meal you’re served at a restaurant is actually a double portion—or more. “Eating half of what the restaurant serves is often just about right,” says the nutrition director of the center that did the study. But that’s harder than it sounds, she tells USA Today: “Even people who are trying to resist are going to eat more than they want when it's right in front of them.”

A cooked steak, for example, should weigh in at three ounces, according to the USDA. But it’s not uncommon to see steaks that are 11 ounces or more on restaurant menus. Similarly, one serving of cooked pasta is one cup, but restaurants will often serve you three or more cups—which can pack as many as 1,040 calories. The good (or bad, depending on your viewpoint) news: Calorie counts will soon be posted practically everywhere, so you can make an informed decision.
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