Cheesecake Factory Portion Sizes
My parents surprised me with a ticket to fly home this weekend for my birthday! I still can’t believe that I’m going to be 25 tomorrow. That’s a whole quart of a century. . . Man I’m old!
It’s been a great weekend having my parents to myself. Brother and husband and busy at a conference so I’ve been loving all the one on one time with my mom, dad, and of course my dog Wicket! Tons of window shopping, Coffee bean and Tea Leaf, and you can’t forget Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt… Just like the good ole days prior to getting married and moving off to Arizona.
Yesterday my mom and I had a lunch date at The Cheesecake Factory. For one who is very indecisive, this was the wrong place to pick. My goodness, the menu is like a book! You can find anything and everything ranging from Chinese to Mexican and American food. . . OH, and not to mention the 25 different types of cheesecake!
It’s great to have a variety, but the poor waitress has to come around several times before I could finally say “I am ready to order.” I decided on an egg white veggie omelet and my mom choose my all time favorite, the Navajo Sandwich.
Ok, I thought the menus were big… the portion sizes at The Cheesecake Factory are over the top! You definitely get your money’s worth with these portion sizes. It’s places like these where a to-go box is a must a great meal for the next day! Needless to say, it was a great lunch and time well spend with my lovely mother!
I though in light of the over-sized portions I would share with how America as a whole has increased portions. Here is a comparison of portion differences since the 1960’s and now:
The crazy thing is that we aren’t just seeing it in restaurants, we are seeing it at home. Everything in your kitchen- from the size of your plates to the way food is packaged has you hearing “eat more, eat more!”
Portion control is very important, but one thing that I am learning is to pay attention to my body and listening to it when I am either full or hungry. It’s quiet the skill to master but once you do, those enormous proportions won’t even be an issue!
Tags: Cheesecake Factory, family, Fitness, Food, Health, Vacation, weightloss
January 16th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I’m so with you on the portion sizes! Even Real Simple and other magazine recipes are out of control. I see what they think one portion is and that’s two meals, easy!
January 16th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
wow so interesting! yeah portion sizes are ridic-cheesecake factory and mexican places i feel like are SO bad!
January 16th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Yeah, Cheesecake Factory is crrrrazy. And we get SO used to the mega portion sizes that we don’t even know it. When I first came to America, I was SHOCKED at how much they serve you. Now, I go to Asia and am SHOCKED at how LITTLE they serve me!
January 17th, 2010 at 1:15 am
Great site you have here. I came across your site from another site. I have a blog myself which I hope will be a top resource for those looking to find the motivation to lose weight.
I’d like to exchange links with you to help spread some traffic around between each other. Please let me know if this is possible under our “Best Weight Loss Websites” page. Until then, keep up the good work!
Jason
4Weight2Lose.com
January 17th, 2010 at 5:17 am
Portion control at restaurants is so, so difficult.
BTW, Happy Birthday!!
January 17th, 2010 at 6:39 am
I’ve never ate at a Cheescake Factory, but I’ve heard they have great food.
I agree with you, our portion sizes are out of control. It’s no wonder folks back in the 60’s weren’t as obese and fat as we are nowadays.
January 17th, 2010 at 7:12 am
It is just crazy how portions have changed so much! I wonder how and why that happened?
I ate at the Cheesecake factory once. It was pretty good. The cheesecake was phenomenal!
January 17th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Portion sizes really have jump-sized. The Cheesecake factory serves monster slices of cheesecake…but they’re so good!
January 17th, 2010 at 7:34 am
lol– I remember the first time I ate at a Cheesecake Factory, I was SO overwhelmed– by the portions, the menus– EVERYTHING!
There is just no reason for their portions to be that big.
January 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Wow!!! Can not believe how much portion sizes have changed! Craziness.
And I LOVE Cheesecake Factory but I definitely know how you feel about too many options! It takes me forever to order and then I always second guess my choice haha.
January 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am
ummm, I’m turning 27 in 2 weeks and I do NOT feel old, so neither should you!!!
The first time I went to the Cheesecake Factory I was super overwhelmed. You’re right, the menu is a book, it’s crazy. It looks like you made a nice choice. I think I got the stir fry when I went and it was enough food to serve the entire table. Portions are crazy these days, and the Cheesecake Factory takes the cake (no pun intended) for having the BIGGEST portions!
January 17th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Happy Birthday! From where I’m at, 25 is sooo young!
Yes, portion control is very important! I love the chart you posted about portions twenty years ago and today.
I have started to use dessert plates, small ramekins, and coffee cups instead of dinner plates & bowls at home. When eating out, hubby and I usually share a few appetizers, which really helps with portions.
Enjoy the rest of your time with your parents!
January 17th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Hey!! Glad you found my blog and excited to read yours
I totally agree about Cheesecake Factory. The portions are CRAZY big. A small salad could feed a family of four!
January 17th, 2010 at 9:03 am
it is crazy that portion sizes have goten SO big over the years! CCF isthe besttt, I have never ordered their omelets though, they always sound so good!! even though plates or bowls may be bigger, just like you said, its important to listen to your body and when you are full just stop eating!!
January 17th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I’m so glad you had such a happy birthday! Passing the half-century mark didn’t bother me as much as the quarter-century did. With age comes wisdom, I suppose.
I’ve never been to Cheesecake Factory. That’s probably for the best.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Cheesecake Factory is delicious, but you’re right, the portion sizes are out of control! The good thing about eating out is you’ll come out with a couple of meals’ worth of food in leftovers!
January 17th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Portion size is definitely what i try to keep an eye on!
There’s an award waiting on my blog for you
January 17th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Congratulations on your birthday, I hope you had a great day.
January 17th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Happy Birthday Chickie!!!!!! that is so sweet of your parents!
I have never been to cheesecake factory but it does look good lol
January 17th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I read your post…and you are DEF NOT old at 25! lol. My children are 20 and 19 and that makes ME old! lol I love it when my daughter comes home from college and we get to have our mother/daughter time. Nothing like it!
Im following your blog so I can stop by and encourage you……Have a Happy Birthday!!!
January 17th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
thank you for stopping in at my blog! you support is welomce. Love you r posts. very interestniog stuff about the sizes… we can easily forget that what is on our plate is MORE then we actually need.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Well… 25 is NOT old, but it IS a fabulous age. I have loved every year after about 24 better than I did the year before. Age can be so beautiful. Enjoy every moment of your birthday!
January 17th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
HAPPY Birthday!!! The portion sizes at cheesecake are definitely HUGE…but so delicious and I love leftovers the next day! I hope you’re having a great day! xoxo!
January 17th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Totally made my day!! I agree that portion sizes right now are completely out of control. Id rather get less food and more quality for my money personally. How cool that your parents surprised you with a plane ticket to come home for a bit to hang out. Sounds like alot of fun!! I hope you have a great Sunday girl!!
January 17th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Adding you right now! Take care.
Jason
4Weight2Lose.com
January 17th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I’m about to nosh on dinner. So thank you for reminding me of portion sizes. Everything I can take in a smaller size. Except cheesecake? good thing there’s not of that around…yet.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Portion sizes at restaurants drive me nuts! I don’t like taking half home, because I don’t want 2 rich meals. My husband and I often will split an entree (I’m pretty lucky that he watches his portion sizes, too!)
January 17th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Happy Birthday! Your not old because that would make me old too (27) and I’m against that idea. The portions are OUT of control at cheesecake. Have you ever checked out their nutritional stats- SCARY!
January 17th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Happy Birthday!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad that I found yours.
I think I realize portions when my children order their meals off the kids menu and their protions are out of control!!
January 17th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
This is what I do & it makes a big difference!!! Your quote: Portion control is very important, but one thing that I am learning is to pay attention to my body and listening to it when I am either full or hungry. It’s quiet the skill to master but once you do, those enormous proportions won’t even be an issue!
I listen to my bod both food & exercise wise & so crucial to learn this cause you are going to need it when you get old!!!
Hey, I new I was older but I did not think that old until you said 25 was old! You are a baby to me!!!!
Happy bday & glad you got to spend time with family!
I stay away from those huge portion places unless it is for someone else & then I just hang or bring my own food!
Oh, yes, how the portions have changed!
January 17th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Ha Ha! To say that the Cheesecake Factory menu is a book is an understatement! It’s more like the damn dictionary!!! They must have a billion chefs in the back working their LARGE PORTION SIZED MAGIC!!! It’s so funny though because people are always like “oh geeze” when it comes to eating at this restaurant because of the meal sizes… but when I go… I get excited because they actually serve the size of meal I typically make myself NIGHTLY!!! Yes, I eat A LOT… but I do it smart…
For instance, when I go to The Cheesecake Factory… I order a salad… with salmon or chicken on top… and then I make sure they do not put any cheese, breads, nuts, seeds, basically anything caloric & unhealthy on the salad… and the dressing comes on the side (and I don’t use it, I use mustard or… I use my vegetable side dishes that I order along with the salad – made with olive oil if sauteed)… So while my meal looks HUGE it really is pretty low calorie because when you subtract all those add on’s calories… it comes down to a normal calorie meal!
OH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY OF COURSE! That was so nice of your parents to fly you home! There is nothing I like more than spending a special day with the ones who truly love me!!!
January 17th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
I agree about portion sizes and my husband and I often share an entrée at most restaurants because we can never finish. It irritates the server but makes us happy!
Hope you have a nice bday! Enjoy 25- it’s a great year!!!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:19 am
I know, isn’t it crazy with portion sizes and that we feel cheated when we go somewhere and just get a small plate?!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Portion distortion, for sure! I like splitting meals with people when I go out or bringing half home with me to save for the next day. Then it just seems like a really good deal rather then too much food.
January 18th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
The portions are crazy. When I go to The Cheesecake Factory (once a year) my mom and I always split and entree and cheesecake. I also try to look online for calorie counts. That place has crazy calories!
January 18th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I have a posted illustrating this very concept — our portions are outrageous! Patients scoff at the posters, but you know what, we’ve built our bed and we’re now obese and sleeping in it! Great information, thanks for posting!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
you’re 25-years-young!!!
cheesecake factory has ginormous portions. i like to split stuff with my dining date, especially since they have that yummy brown bread that comes to the table.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Happy Birthday! Oh, to be 25 again! Ha!
I give Kudo’s to you for ordering healthy at the Cheesecake Factory! You are right about the portions, why do they serve you what 4 people should actually get!
January 19th, 2010 at 9:00 am
We’re almost birthday twins! The Cheesecake Factory is scary, even their salads are HUGE! We need to have a little AZ blogger meet up soon!
January 19th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Admittedly, I have no portion control. Whatsoever. Fortunately, the stuff I eat is green, so it makes the case a little bit better.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
what an awesome comparison! I try to keep my portions under control! Damn this society and their supersized EVERYTHIGN!
and Im older than you… so you arent old- cuz im not old!
but i will be old someday
January 19th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I think this was the biggest lesson I learned from prepackaged food – man did I have NO idea how much food I should eat each sitting!!!
January 20th, 2010 at 10:46 am
LOVE that comparison chart, thank you for it!
And Happy Birthday