homearticle archives March/April 2007 supplemental article

Portion Distortion Quiz

Twenty years ago, portion sizes were much different than they are today. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of the calories you consume in standard portions.

Twenty years ago .

1. A bagel was 3 inches in diameter and had 140 calories. How many calories are in the average bagel today?
   1. 350
   2. 250
   3. 150
2. A cheeseburger had 333 calories. How many calories are in the average cheeseburger today?
   1. 590
   2. 620
   3. 700
3. A portion of spaghetti and meatballs (1 cup spaghetti and 3 small meatballs) had 500 calories. How many calories are in the average-sized portion of spaghetti and meatballs today?
   1. 1,025
   2. 600
   3. 800
4. A 6.5-ounce portion of soda had 85 calories. How many calories are in the average 20-ounce soda today?
   1. 250
   2. 300
   3. 200
5. A 2.4-ounce portion of French fries had 210 calories. How many calories are in today's average portion?
   1. 610
   2. 590
   3. 650
6. A turkey sandwich had 320 calories. How many calories are in the average turkey sandwich today?
   1. 820
   2. 510
   3. 630
7. A muffin was 1.5 ounces and had only 210 calories. How many calories are in the average muffin today?
   1. 320
   2. 400
   3. 500
8. Two slices of pepperoni pizza had 500 calories. How many calories are in the average two slices of pepperoni pizza from a large pizza today?
   1. 1,200
   2. 850
   3. 1,000
9. A chicken Caesar salad (1 1/2 cups) had 390 calories. How many calories are in the average chicken Caesar salad today?
   1. 790
   2. 520
   3. 650
10. An average box of popcorn (5 cups) had 270 calories. How many calories are in today's average tub of popcorn?
    1. 520
    2. 820
    3. 630
11. A slice of cheesecake (3 ounces) was 260 calories. How many calories are in the average large slice of cheesecake today?
    1. 830
    2. 640
    3. 900
12. Chicken stir fry (2 cups) was 435 calories. How many calories are in today's common portion of chicken stir fry?
    1. 625
    2. 550
    3. 865
13. A standard cup of coffee was 8 ounces and had 45 calories if you added cream and sugar. Black - no calories. How many calories are in today's mocha coffee with steamed whole milk and mocha syrup?
    1. 100
    2. 350
    3. 450