Customers ask for bigger portions

People are ordering unhealthy portions of food.

People are ordering larger and unhealthier portions of food in restaurants, adding to the obesity crisis, according to a poll.

A survey of 1,000 food industry workers, by Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine, found worrying examples of gluttony.

One worker said a parent had ordered a double bacon and egg cheeseburger liquidised with gravy for a toddler.

Another customer ate a lasagne meant to feed eight people.

Three out of four repondents pointed the finger at parents for rising obesity rates.

A quarter of workers blamed the government, while 41% said food and drinks suppliers are also responsible for the obesity problem.

Only 7% of respondents blamed the catering industry.

However four out of five agreed that food outlets should offer low-fat menu options, and 83% of those involved in menu development said they were aware of fat content as they created new dishes.

Massive portions

The survey also highlighted some of the most shocking dishes ordered by customers, including:

• A 36oz T-bone steak,

• A full English breaskfast with six eggs,

• Three bread rolls, two starters, two 8oz fillet steaks, with two bottles of wine and a plate of cheese - ordered by someone who weighed 25st.

• Four pork chops, baked potatoes, 12 eggs and garlic bread.

• A breakfast of chips for a three-year-old.

Chef Antony Worrall Thompson said the "health police" will eventually hit the catering industry.

"When millions of Brits regularly snack on a Big Mac, large fries and a milkshake, not realising this can constitute nearly three-quarters of our recommended daily calorie count, then perhaps certain sectors of our industry need to take steps to alert customers as to how much they are eating."

Chef-proprietor Gordon Ramsay defended the catering industry, telling the magazine: "I don't think chefs are to blame for obesity in this country. There's nothing wrong with indulgence providing you can control it - and you do sufficient work to burn it off."

Amanda Wynne, dietitian at the British Dietetic Association, said there is no one sector to blame for the obesity epidemic.

"We need Government policies, education in schools, and healthy options in restaurants - it goes right across the board," she told BBC News Online.

"Restaurants need to offer high quality, appetising healthy food, with more fruit and vegetables. Chefs have the expertise and the skill to do this.

"But restaurants can't dictate what people can and can't eat, people need to take responsibility for themselves."