Why is it so Easy to be Thin in Japan?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. So true.

At the beginning of March 2020 I went on a cruise to Hawaii. It was a WONDERFUL cruise, a delayed 70th birthday present to myself. I was very aware that most people gained weight on a cruise, and I was determined not to let that happen to me. So I ate much less than I might have, but still ate well enough. On my return home, some 18 days after starting out, I weighed exactly what I did when I set out for the cruise. Hooray!

I've long been aware of how huge portions in restaurants are. I appreciate dining with companions who are willing to share. Or I take much of my meal home.

About a year ago I decided it was time to lose weight. I'd been overweight for far too long. I was able to get my BMI from 31.6, just into the obesity category, to 24.5, at the upper end of normal. I would like to lose a bit more weight, but I'm very happy with my results so far. I'm fortunate in that my appetite has diminished a lot in recent years. I'm 72 years old, which is probably a factor. I generally eat one meal a day, and I'm satisfied with that. In my youth I had a great appetite, and could eat second and third helpings quite readily. I was also more active than I have been in recent years.

But back to the original point. Restaurant portions are HUGE, far above what any of us need to eat. I find it very frustrating that if I go to a bakery, the size of their baked goods are vastly larger than I want to eat. Sigh.