In an effort to get at American’ wallets, Vancouver restaurants are super sizing portions. Not so the health-conscious truffle.

By Angela Murrills

Mealy-mouthed, politically correct euphemisms are everywhere, but the actual “f” word doesn’t get mentioned as much as it should in polite society. So three cheers for California writer Greg Critser, who manages a one-two punch right to the soft, squashy underbelly of US society. His Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World is an alarming book, not least for its revelation of how much more our neighbors to the south consume.

Because ordering two portions might be perceived as greedy, fast-food companies have simply upped what was once a single-sized serving. Critser cites McDonald's fries. In 1960, you consumed 200 calories; in the late 1990’s over three times as much. A 590-calorie McDonald’s meal, he says, has ballooned to 1,550 calories. For perspective, says local registered dietitian and nutrition coach Ramona Josephson, the average desk-bound woman who goes to the gym three times a week needs 1,800 calories daily.

For complete article see The Georgia’ Straight May 20 – 27, 2004 pg 53