So Starbucks is introducing a new size -- the trenta. The new cup size holds 916 ml of liquids; the average stomach holds 900 ml. Here is an illustrated guide from the Huffington Post. And of course, there is still the Big Gulp, Super Big Gulp, Double Gulp, and Team Gulp. So who buys these? Why or why wouldn't you buy a portion size larger than your stomach? Does the restaurant industry have a responsibility to help us with our portion size and obesity epidemic?
I personally find Starbuck's new "trenta" ridiculous and pointless. There is no way I can ever down that much coffee in one sitting, yet a lone a week. However, I understand how it is appealing to American consumers. With portions blown out of proportion already, what is a "trenta" really going to do to us besides a sugar high, jitters and the occasional insomnia. At the end of the day, we can take in account that the restaurant industry has helped cause this obese epidemic. However, we can't blame them for the consumer's choice to purchase this.
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I dont think it is the restaurant industry responsibility to provide portion size in relations to the obesity epidemic. We as human being are responisble for our own action. In America everyone preaches about something. People trying to take advantage of another weakness.
ReplyDeleteIntroducing a larger size is ridiculous. The only people who buy something that large are people who eat with their eyes. I would say i wouln't buy a portion larger than my stomach but I would be a hypocrite. I am guiltily a person who eats with their eyes and it's mostly due to pricing and etc. For example, going to 711 would I rather get the Big Gulp or the Team Gulp for a few cents more. I think that the restaurant industry plays a big part in our nations obesity problem because of the portion sizes they create and the amount they sell it for.
ReplyDeleteWe as a nation were raised to believe that "take what you want, but finish what you take." and "get the best bang for your buck." and in terms of food intake these two lessons are collectively killing us. I gave up a very bad personal habit and did not have something to replace it with so I ate lots of bad food,cheaply.As I did this I added eighty pounds to my person.All the fast food I ate was cheep and came in large in quantities. Over nine years later I haven't taken off that weight. In our nation "bigger is better" and if it's cheaper all the better still. We never learn to look after ourselves in K through 12 as young Americans. We don't learn how to manage money or our health, we are taught how to become consumers by our mass media and it has a negative effect on us as a whole. The mass media lessons are geared to making us want more and more to try and make our lives better, yet it makes us unhealthy and increases our debt.With no guidance from primary school young people learn from TV and mass media and those lessons have placed many young Americans into financial and health problems that only feed into each other and become progressively worse.We don't collectively protest against a beverage that is the equal to or greater than the size of our stomachs.And many parents aren't around all the time to intervene when there kids buy after school Big Gulps and snacks. We like to say that it's a parent's job , and that is true, but school used to teach Home Economics and Health as general knowledge,to help turn out "well rounded" students. In cutting budgets we have widened the gap between that a young person should know about their health and what mass media tries to convince them to be and believe. Part of being healthy is learning what it means to act in healthy ways, and primary school could help in teaching such lessons. Ray Pardo
ReplyDeletethe food industry does not have a responsibility for how much we eat and drink. people should be aware of what we are putting into our bodys.yo should realize that if your drinking a 65 ounce soda that it is not good for ur body to be taking in all those calories.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that the restaurant industry has a responsibility to help us with our obesity epidemic. The restaurant industry is supposed to provide patrons with what they want. If people want a 916ml drink then it should be available to them. It also goes back to people feeling like they are getting more for their money, just like fast food places sell value meals this is basically a value drink.
ReplyDeleteI know that people are responsible for their own body, but as humans we aren't always strong enough to fight the temptation off. I know that if i go to a restaurant with several attractive healthy options, I will choose one of them. If their aren't any, I will eat poorly. We shouldn't be forced, but if the menu highlights the healthy food, and the flavor backs it up, America may slow our problem down, and the restaurant is more responsible partner in the community.
ReplyDeleteI Agrre with Mr. Torres and Mr.MacDonald inthat we as restaurantuers have no responsibility for people over eating and becoming overweight. When ever I think of this very strange "epidemic" I am reminded of my own smoking habits, should the tobacco really be held liable for my own stupidery? of corse not. if tobacco prices were relitive to the cheapness of the mass produceed slaw that people like to gorge on, say 2$ for a carton would this put extra resposibility on the producers for their consumer consumption, again no. it allways was and allways will be to get the best value; the most for the least. and thats what drives sales and productivity.
ReplyDelete*jw844293*
Most restaurants who offer extreme portion sizes are operated by corporations. The driving force for most corporations is profit. To propose considering the well being of the consumer over increasing sales margins would be blasphemous. In fact these corporations are simply appealing to the American concept bigger is better. Many people like Morgan Spurlock, "SuperSize Me" have exposed the consequences of our nations glutonous tendencies. Unfortunately, I do not believe it is the responsibility of the company to police its patrons. Their responsibilties are to their shareholders. It is the responsibility of the individual to demonstrate self control.
ReplyDeleteBryan Riblett 4-6pm Tues/Thurs
America, and i would assume, most of the world, does not know how many ml the average stomic can hold. i know that i drink more than 900 ml during many different forms of excersize. Yes, i know this partialy has to do with sweating a percantage of this, but your not sweating more than 30% of the total amount you have drinken.
ReplyDeleteAlthough these sizes are unarugabley way to big. it is on the consumer to know how much they should or should not be consuming. The restaurant industry shouldnt be responsible for the consumer in any way.
If the consumer wants to litteraly overfill themselfs, thats fine. but dont let the consumer try and blame the supplyer just because they make poor decisions.
Why buy something bigger than our stomach holds? To save money, and not to mention almost everyone in America is hopelessly addicted to coffee and sweet drinks. We see the price difference between that and the smaller sizes and of course it makes perfect sense to get ten extra ounces for only 45 extra cents. Not that I'm condoning this type of behavior, it really does make me sick, but the reason restaurants do it, is because we're all stupid enough to keep buying into it. It's not their responsibility to look out for our health, it's ours. It's a restaurant's responsibility, at least one that would employ these tactics, to make money, and they're going to do anything possible to do that. So people just need to take a bit of accountability and realize that buying a 30 oz mocha frappachino could possibly be hazardous to their health.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the restaurant industry has anything to do with the obesity crisis in America. Its not the restaurants faults that a person feels they need to eat certain foods that can ultimately make them overweight. Restaurants are merely providing a service and displaying their culinary creations but when some people feel that they need to go out every night to eat, they are the ones ultimately creating the problem. Same with people too lazy to cook their own dinner and apt for fast food. I am not all saying you shouldn't eat fast food ever but as a constant meal substitute; No. The whole deal with McDonald's super size option was completely blown out of proportion. It's not McDonald's fault that a few customers decided to kill their bodies by eating greasy fast food. I think most people can agree that a nice big ol' greasy burger and fries really hits the spot from time to time. And not to mention the massive cola that accompanied the meal that was filled 70% with ice. The best part about large portions is the fact that theres an option. If I want a massive cola or 916ml of my delicious iced caramel macchiato. I have no problem controlling the amount of food I eat and neither should anyone else. Obesity is NOT a disability, it's a choice. I for one wish the super size option comes back because sometimes I just want a little bit more.
ReplyDeleteThe Resturaunt industry is not the problem, its the people who are uneducated about making better choices that are responsible. i remember when i saw a video of Jamie Oliver taking the left over bones and guts of chickens, grinding them down and then adding chemicals to make a mcnugget. he did this in front of children and the kids told him that they would still eat it. Its not Mcdonalds to blame, since mostly everyone knows that fast food is bad, its the parents that dont teach children any better.
ReplyDeleteJulian Woo 870897
The people buying these obscenely oversized drinks are Americans who live in a society where the general theme is the bigger the better. For so long it has been drilled into our brains that improving something means making it larger, regardless of that fact that our bodies have zero need for the extra garbage we throw in our stomachs. America's entire mentality concerning foods and beverages needs a drastic overhaul. The first step must be freeing ourselves from the notion that bigger is better, and instead focusing on making the QUALITY of our food system better so we are satisfied with small portions that keep us satisfied and our "hunger" satiated.
ReplyDeleteIt would never even cross my mind to purchase these grossly oversized products. Drinking a cup of coffee, or anything for that matter, that is bigger than the size of one's stomach is not only idiotic, it is so insanely bad for us.
I don't think that the responsibility for correcting these horrific displays of excess should lie solely with the restaurant industry, but with the society as a whole. Restaurants certainly should do their part by reducing enormous portion sizes in order to stop the proliferation of the problem, but the real responsibility lies with society as a whole. Nothing will be changed until our minds undergo some serious adjusting. Americans need to stop listening to advertisers telling them bigger is better, and instead listen to their bodies telling them it is the quality of that which they eat and not the size that results in an overall state of wellbeing.
Sarah Mundt SM903170
I don't buy drinks this large nor do I agree or support the immorality of it however, kodos to the people who came up with this idea. Getting to the the greedy side of society in the easiest way possible. This keeps them in the economical "game" with their competitors looking for the same goal of money. In a way the restaurunt industry can be to blame for allowing these overly sized drinks and meals into their businesses because even though they aren't responsible for the customers decision, by putting it as an option makes it a promotion in itself. Something that customers love because promotional means new in the customers eyes and doesn't everyone want what's "new" or at least say they've "been there," "done that"? It's rather disgusting.
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Ricardo Pina
ReplyDeletePursue pleasure but make smart choices with your future in mind. Is more always better? Or is savoring life's gift's in moderation. Im not trying to figure out whats wrong or right but rather what works. If excessive coffe isn't healthy then dont do it. Use common sense and know your limits.
I personally do not see the need to have a drink this size. i feel that the trend with Starbucks is people thinks it makes them look cool. The idea of having a drink that is more than your body can hold is just plain dumb. If you bring your massive coffee to the workplace and plan on having it all day, I guess I could see what you would want it for but in general it is just super-sized and unnecessary. -Helen Morganto
ReplyDeleteWhile everyone one on here make good points, i agree with the fact that its not the fast food restaurants or any restaurants responsibility to the obesity problem in America. We ourselves are to blame, we need to learn how to better take care of our bodies and eat healthily. Yes you can still eat fast food but eat it in moderation. Now to the topic of the trenta being an employee of Starbucks myself not everyone knows the details about it. Yes it is a very big size to serve a drink in but your only allowed to get iced coffee and iced teas in it. I wouldn't say that those liquids are necessarily bad for you, so every once in awhile i think its ok. It's not like your getting that size with a coke in it that has endless amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
ReplyDeleteGastro 684629
I say why not make a quarante and see how quickly we can test Darwin's theory and see if people literally eat and/or drink themselves to death. If people can't learn to control what they're caloric intake is I say it's nature's way of "thinning the herd". The problem becomes who has to pay for quadruple bypasses and gastric bypass surgeries? There needs to be a balance someday though, honestly, between consumer and seller responsibility. Just not sure it will ever happen. If people are dumb enough to buy it, why not sell it?
ReplyDeleteI Feel as if the extra bang for you buck is there just for convenience so you can get it and go. it lasts longer so you need to refill less often. i do think on the other hand that the company's that are selling these HUGE drinks need to make the portion size more clear on the cups so one dose not think that the Supper Big Gulp is meant to be concord in one sitting
ReplyDeleteThomas 911327
I do not believe that it is there responsibility, but a slight push in the right direction could be helpful. The fact that they have a portion size that large is not only rediculous but pointless aswell. Yes people will buy it but only because it is available to them and they do not make smart decisions at times when talking about food.. This is just another thing that will hurt people in the long run, another posible contribution to obesity.
ReplyDeleteI think that the obesity "epidemic" (epidemic not being the correct evaluation of the situation at hand according to Kozin) is just about equal distribution of the blame. If people didn't continue to consume the larger sizes that the restaurants put out, and kept buying reasonable sizes, the restaurants would discontinue the larger drink. On the other hand if there was no larger size to order, the people that do get it, would not have the option too. We as a nation have a lot of unhealthy habits but there's a lot of nothing being done about it. Even if your not some big shot corporate mogul with influence, just continue to buy the size you prefer, and if the bigger size really is unrealistic, it will run its course and be discontinued as it should.
ReplyDeleteShannon Martincic
Who buys these? Well someone who is really thirsty, people who are sharing the drink, or someone thinking they are getting a deal. Usually gas stations or fast food restaurants run the special that all size drinks are the same price, so you may as well get the bigger one to get your moneys worth, right? I think many people do not know how much their stomach holds; therefore, they have no problem buying a drink that is larger than what their stomach can hold. I am guilty of buying the bigger drink because I think I am getting a deal, then I do not even finish half of it and it goes to waste. I do not think the restaurant industry is responsible to help people with portion size or the obesity problem in America. I do believe, though, the restaurant industry can control portion size and how much people eat. If I am given a smaller portion I am pleased with my meal. If I receive a larger portion I feel I need to finish my meal and end up over stuffing myself. People want to get their moneys worth, so I have found American's tend to like larger portions because they feel they are getting what they paid for. I am not saying this is right, but we work for our customers and without them we do not have a job. So the moral of the story is give your customers what they want. They are able to take care of themselves and are aware of what they are putting in their body and watching that should not be the responsibility of the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI think the "trenta" is a little far fetched of an idea. If this drink exceeds the amount of liquid your stomach can actually hold, why would someone want to challenge that and buy it? Maybe to save it for late? Maybe they just need to have more than enough! This is why Americans are known as "fat americans", look at the stuff we come up with! After going to Paul Rozin's presentation and listening to him compare how people in France eat as opposed to Americans, I think we all really need to take that into consideration. If obesity is an up and coming epidemic, why aren't we doing more to try and limit the amount of calories, and unnatural foods and flavors that go into our bodies? Well done on the 'creativity' part of it Starbucks, but honestly I think this is just another set up for more discussions on why America is seemingly becoming more of a "fat country".
ReplyDeleteKM868731
I don't think restaurants are responsible for the meal size that we pick. We are grown-ups and we are capable of deciding what it is that we should buy. Even though it is saying that this drink is larger than the stomach size of a person, it still doesn't mean that people aren't buying it to share (as I often do). Some people also buy it when they are in a road trip and they drink it continuously (at a slower rate than what it takes the body to digest it.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, this is bringing enormous profits to Starbucks, but to the cost of human health, so is it still ok for Starbucks to sell it even though it might be killing the consumer? Probably not.
This Starbucks drink is just like the Marlboro Paradox: Do producers supply cigarettes because consumers demand it, or do consumers demand it because producers supply it?
SC868161
I am not quite sure who to blame.
ReplyDeleteStarbucks is simply altering their menu to what the customer wants, If people are buying that size... Then thier weight problem is on them.
It dosen't sit right with me that the company would offer such a large portion, but really as a consumer you have the choice on wether or not to buy it.
Starbucks is not getting rid of the smaller sizes but only adding more insane sizes.
I don't think they are in the wrong as a company. But it makes starbucks even that much more tacky in my eyes.
Kirsten Thorn
kt795923
Personally, I dont see the point in introducing an even larger size to the already larger sizes we have now. It just makes the people that want a lot want even more and makes this country look even worse than it is food wise. If the food business cant control how much the people of america is eating than who can? The only reason they wanna make it bigger is because they want to make more money. Besides that they're just making America look like the unhealthiest country on this Earth.
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