Ya?l: It's time for another installment of lunch with Don and Ya?l. So, Don, what do you have for lunch today?

Don: An apple.

Y: That's it?

D: And some water.

Y: Why so little?

D: Well, I ate out last night . . . and at restaurants you tend to get around four or five times as much food as nutrition experts recommend. For example, if you order a steak, you'll probably get a nice, juicy, twelve-ounce piece of meat. But experts say that you shouldn't eat more than five-and-a-half ounces of meat per day.

Y: Wow. Why does that happen?

D: It's partly due to the plate size. Have you ever noticed that a lot of restaurants use oversize plates? Which leads to another factor . . . when you're paying for a meal, you expect those plates to be filled with food. Get a four- or five-ounce piece of steak on your giant plate and you might not feel that you're getting your money's worth.

Y: Y'know, I read somewhere that people are eating out more than ever. And if they're eating larger than recommended portions at restaurants, I bet that's contributing to the obesity problem.

D: Some experts think so. But there's an easy solution . . . eat only some of what's on your plate and take the rest home.

Y: Did you do that last night?

D: Uh, no. It's kinda hard to stop eating when all that food is right there in front of you.

Y: Well then, enjoy your apple.