Final answer:
Increasing portion sizes lead to higher consumption of food and drinks, often without realization. Practicing portion control and using comparison tools are recommended to maintain a healthy diet and avoid overconsumption. Paying attention to nutrition labels and serving sizes is essential in preventing diet-related health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided information, we can conclude that the increasing portion sizes have caused people to consume more food and beverages than they used to. This trend can lead to a lack of awareness regarding proper serving sizes, often resulting in individuals unintentionally consuming multiple servings at once. For example, the comparison of today's 20-ounce soft drinks to the smaller bottles of the past indicates that what was once considered multiple servings is now often consumed as a single serving, contributing to increased caloric intake.
To combat this, portion control strategies are suggested, such as using nutrition facts labels or common items for comparison, like a deck of cards or the size of your hand. Avoiding the overconsumption of particularly calorie-dense foods and drinks, like sugary beverages, is essential to prevent health issues such as metabolic syndrome and obesity. Maintaining mindfulness of portion sizes is crucial in a food industry that often encourages larger servings and sedentary lifestyle habits.