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CNN Live At Daybreak
Battle of the Bulge Never Ending Fight
Aired January 22, 2003 - 06:25 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's a never ending fight, that battle of the bulge. A new study is out this morning telling us portion sizes are out of control and so are we.
Lisa Drayer is a registered dietitian and the director of nutrition services for Dietwatch.com, Incorporated.
And she joins us this morning from New York to talk about how super sized really means super wide.
Good morning, Lisa.
LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Good morning, Carol.
Yes, we actually now have scientific evidence to show us why we're gaining weight. The latest study tracked actual increases in portion sizes and calories consumed for specific foods. And it found that we're eating about 93 more calories from salty snacks. This is the pretzels, the chips and the popcorn.
COSTELLO: Is that per day?
DRAYER: Actually, it was over the year.
COSTELLO: OK.
DRAYER: So they studied trends over a period of years, but this is per year. And this is what they found.
Also, about 50 calories more from soft drinks. Over 100, close to a hundred calories from hamburgers. And the increase here was found in the home, which was a very interesting finding, since we tend to eat larger portions at restaurants.
Also, about 70 calories from French fries and 133 more calories from Mexican food.
COSTELLO: Wow.
DRAYER: So you can see how all this adds up, considering only 10 calories translates to a one pound gain per year.
COSTELLO: Oh, yes. You know, I read something interesting the other day. There's a new book out and of course I can't recall the title right now. But it said the reason that marketers made super sized portions is that Americans don't like to ask for seconds because it makes them feel, you know, sort of greedy. But they will eat the huge super sized meal that they get.
DRAYER: Absolutely. And they try to entice consumers by giving a better value. And it may be better for the wallet, but not necessarily for the waistline, because these calorie counts can be very, very high.
But it's important to know what a serving size is and what it looks like. For example, three ounces of meat or chicken or fish, that's a protein serving, that looks like a deck of cards, or if you're a techie, a computer mouse. Also, your calorie needs can be larger, so you can increase your portions depending on your needs.
Also, watch those value meals. A super sized value meal, the double quarter pounder with cheese from McDonald's, forget about it. It's your whole day's worth of calories and fat. So just be careful. It's a better value maybe for your wallet, but not the waistline.
Also, if you're out at restaurants, it's a good idea to take half of your meal home. Tonight's dinner can become tomorrow's lunch and it will be better for your body.
COSTELLO: Yes, unless you forget it in your car like I do. And then you go in the next morning and you say oh, what is that smell?
Anyway, Lisa Drayer, many thanks to you.
Hopefully some will take your advice.
But, you know, it's awfully hard to leave that food on your plate when it's been drilled into your head over the years you have to clean your plate.
DRAYER: That's true.
COSTELLO: Lisa Drayer, many thanks.
DRAYER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 22, 2003 - 06:25 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's a never ending fight, that battle of the bulge. A new study is out this morning telling us portion sizes are out of control and so are we.
Lisa Drayer is a registered dietitian and the director of nutrition services for Dietwatch.com, Incorporated.
And she joins us this morning from New York to talk about how super sized really means super wide.
Good morning, Lisa.
LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Good morning, Carol.
Yes, we actually now have scientific evidence to show us why we're gaining weight. The latest study tracked actual increases in portion sizes and calories consumed for specific foods. And it found that we're eating about 93 more calories from salty snacks. This is the pretzels, the chips and the popcorn.
COSTELLO: Is that per day?
DRAYER: Actually, it was over the year.
COSTELLO: OK.
DRAYER: So they studied trends over a period of years, but this is per year. And this is what they found.
Also, about 50 calories more from soft drinks. Over 100, close to a hundred calories from hamburgers. And the increase here was found in the home, which was a very interesting finding, since we tend to eat larger portions at restaurants.
Also, about 70 calories from French fries and 133 more calories from Mexican food.
COSTELLO: Wow.
DRAYER: So you can see how all this adds up, considering only 10 calories translates to a one pound gain per year.
COSTELLO: Oh, yes. You know, I read something interesting the other day. There's a new book out and of course I can't recall the title right now. But it said the reason that marketers made super sized portions is that Americans don't like to ask for seconds because it makes them feel, you know, sort of greedy. But they will eat the huge super sized meal that they get.
DRAYER: Absolutely. And they try to entice consumers by giving a better value. And it may be better for the wallet, but not necessarily for the waistline, because these calorie counts can be very, very high.
But it's important to know what a serving size is and what it looks like. For example, three ounces of meat or chicken or fish, that's a protein serving, that looks like a deck of cards, or if you're a techie, a computer mouse. Also, your calorie needs can be larger, so you can increase your portions depending on your needs.
Also, watch those value meals. A super sized value meal, the double quarter pounder with cheese from McDonald's, forget about it. It's your whole day's worth of calories and fat. So just be careful. It's a better value maybe for your wallet, but not the waistline.
Also, if you're out at restaurants, it's a good idea to take half of your meal home. Tonight's dinner can become tomorrow's lunch and it will be better for your body.
COSTELLO: Yes, unless you forget it in your car like I do. And then you go in the next morning and you say oh, what is that smell?
Anyway, Lisa Drayer, many thanks to you.
Hopefully some will take your advice.
But, you know, it's awfully hard to leave that food on your plate when it's been drilled into your head over the years you have to clean your plate.
DRAYER: That's true.
COSTELLO: Lisa Drayer, many thanks.
DRAYER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
