Why It's Getting Harder to Stay Fit When Cooking at Home

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Feb 2009 09:54 PM

Many people think that cooking meals at home versus eating out is a great way to save money and calories, but a new study shows that may not be the case.

Restaurants have long been the target of attacks by nutritionists, who maintain that portion distortion, is creating a nation of unfit super-sized fatties. Well, now it appears the trend of serving up huge helpings is being employed by cookbooks as well.

A new study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine looked at how traditional recipes have changed during the past 70 years. Researchers found a nearly 40 percent increase in calories per serving for practically every recipe reviewed, which roughly translates to 77 calories per serving.

The study focused its attention on the mega-popular kitchen icon "Joy of Cooking." While it was first published in the 1930s, it is regularly updated with new editions, most recently in 2006. According to researchers, of the 18 recipes published in all seven editions, 17 increased in calories per serving, mainly due to larger portion sizes.

For example, the cookbook's famous Chicken Gumbo recipe went from making 14 servings at 228 calories each in the 1936 edition, to making 10 servings at 576 calories each in the 2006 version. Another example of super-sizing at home is seen in the cookbook's classic Chocolate Brownie recipe. In the 1960s and 1970s it yielded 30 brownies, but in the 1997 edition it yielded 15. The same trend is seen with "Joy of Cooking" Chocolate Chip Cookies. Twenty years ago the recipe yielded 100 cookies and today it makes just 60, though none of the ingredients have changed.

Researchers say the study proves that people are getting accustomed to eating larger quantities of food. Nutritionists say they are most concerned by the increase in overall calories per recipe rather than in portion size, because of the effects it has on health and fitness levels. Researchers noted that a change of even 10 percent in calories can affect a person's weight.

Their advice to home cooks: Put half of the dish away as soon as it's cooked and serve smaller portions.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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