We as Americans are always making choices that suit our own personal needs. Yet we have a government that is constantly wanting to be our bossy big brother telling us that he knows what’s best for us. This is clearly seen in the food sector.
Back in ’06, the government leaned on food establishments and recommended them to cut down food portions. Customers responded.
“We had competitors who shrank portion sizes, and it’s just been a catastrophe,” said Clarence Otis Jr., chairman and chief executive of Darden Restaurants, whose chains include Olive Garden and Red Lobster. (source)
…
“‘They aren’t best-sellers,’ Raab said. ‘Consumers select food based on flavor, and lower fat foods are not as appealing. The fast food industry has tried to respond to concerns about the healthfulness of their food, but we as consumers don’t buy it, and we speak with our pocket books.’” (source)
And finally, this.
Still, Young believes shoppers are so hard-wired for value that we won’t embrace smaller sizes until the larger ones are no longer available. It’s hard to shell out 90 cents for a small can of soda when a 20-oz. bottle for $1.50 is right next to it.
“The incentive on the consumer is to spend a few cents more to get much more,” Young said.
Indeed, though corporate nutritionists and meal planners are likely to take a harder look at serving size, Rolls said the ultimate push must come from those of us who keep eating and drinking in ever-expanding amounts, demanding that Americans get portions to fit a healthier lifestyle.
“If we keep telling them what we want, they’ll give it to us,” she said. “It’s up to us as consumers to let the industry know that we don’t really want that much food, that we would rather have better quality.”
On the other hand, she acknowledged, “We don’t want to pay a heck of a lot more for less food.” (source)
Think about it. Anytime I am served a portion of food that is just too much for me to eat in one sitting, I eat what I can and save the rest for later. I didn’t need an act of congress or another one of Obama’s Czars to help me make the right decision. Like many Americans, I just used my common sense. If I go to a restaurant that is known for great burgers, pizza, etc., it is foolish for me to think that they are entitled to make a version of their best entrees that will not make me fat. That’s like expecting someone to offer a swimming pool that will make me less wet. If ya’ don’t want to get wet, don’t jump in the pool.
I already mentioned in an earlier post about how Americans are no big fans of hybrids for the sake of “saving the environment”.
Global warming? Not a major concern for most Americans in this poll.
So as we celebrate the independence of this country, please don’t allow your freedom of choice to be squashed in the name of political correctiveness. Cuz’ if the truth be told, nobody is super sizing PC. They’re just talking about it.
Related: McDonald’s unveils a bigger burger
Sphere: Related Content
