Sound Off!

Portion Size? Use your Smarties!

I have to say, I almost fell over laughing when I saw this pack of Smarties in the store the other day. My childhood candy had been supersized! If eating a whole pack of regular Smarties isn't enough at 100 calories per 1 oz. serving, you can now have 225 calories if you eat the whole pack of Smarties on steroids. Eat them every day and you can gain a half pound of weight each week. Ouch!

It's time we all used our smarties and got a handle on big portions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now predicts that by 2015, up to 75% of US adults will be overweight or obese. Along with that, you can count on the rates of diabetes, heart disease and cancer going up, too. Here's a reality check on how many servings you're actually consuming of your favorite foods:

  • Restaurant style bagel - 3 servings of grain
  • 20 oz. bottle of Coke - 2 1/2 servings
  • 3 oz. bag of potato chips - 3 servings
  • 1 large grapefruit - 2 servings of fruit
  • 8 oz. steak - 2 2/3 servings of meat
  • 1 cup of ice cream - 2 servings
  • 1 cup of rice - 2 servings
  • 1 cup pasta - 2 servings
  • 12 ounces orange juice - 2 servings of fruit
  • Big Smarties - 2 1/2 servings


Current Sound Off!
New Year's Resolutions

Archived Sound Off!
Kitchen Disasters
Sound Off about a Sound Plan
In defense of natural nitrates
Bon Appetit!
Balancing the Budget
Weight Loss Plans
Portion Size? Use your Smarties!
Break the Crave Cycle
Supplements and Herbal Products
Registered Dietitian Day
Good Fats, Bad Fats
Eating a diet high in fat will cause weight gain