Small restaurant portions could contribute to health

Small restaurant portions could contribute to health
EDITOR:
I am writing in concern that some restaurants will not allow adults to order smaller portions. Some people may not be able to eat adult sized portions and many others are trying to lose weight. For example if they are on a diet or if they have received gastric bypass surgery, which reduces their stomach to less than 4 ounces.
A member of my family has had gastric bypass surgery. Many times, an unsympathetic waitress will not allow her to order off the children's menu. It is humiliating, and sometimes unappetizing, to explain to a perfect stranger why you cannot eat a large meal. The simple answer is not to eat the complete meal. I think if we were able to know when to say when, the surgery would not have been necessary.
Society wants us to be thin, but everywhere we turn we are bombarded with extra-value size this and biggie size that. Each restaurant tries to outdo the other in portion size or buffet selection. Why can't fast food restaurants offer a lite and healthy menu or a "smallie" size menu? We are a society that believes bigger is better. The fastest cars, the biggest houses, the most money. But our fascination with bigger is better is having an unhealthy affect on our waistlines. Our society in general, and our children specifically, are the most overweight on the planet.
We would all be better off if restaurants offered us normal-size meals, or possibly they could offer meals by size. But in any case, do not discriminate against someone who is trying to lose weight. It would be better for the consumers and the restaurants if anyone were allowed to order from the reduced portion menu. The restaurants would be allowing us to make healthier choices, and we as consumers would feel more in control.
KYLE WALTER
North Jackson
Teens turn to drink when their lives are lacking
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to your teen-drinking poll. People gave a variety of opinions. Some felt it was lax parenting, others said it was boredom, or peer pressure, parents' drinking, and maybe even for the fact that it's more acceptable now than it used to be. While those are all true, being a teen myself, I think it can be summed up by simply saying teens are lacking something in their lives.
If a person has a so-called "empty spot" in their life, they will give into anything that is made to sound good. That empty spot could be from any number of the above -- if the parents don't give their kids enough attention, the children will strive to be in the spotlight. If teens are bored (missing that special zing in their life), alcohol is thought to fix that. Depression I think speaks for itself, as well as the bad influence of friends and parents drinking.
I'm not sure if there will ever be a decrease in the rate of teen alcoholics, but I definitely think that schools should focus more on educating students on the future risk of drinking.
MARY JO KALASKY
North Jackson
X Writers Walter and Kalasky are students at Jackson-Milton High School.
Merit selection of judges important for justice
EDITOR:
In November 1987, merit selection of judges was placed on the ballot as a constitutional issue and was soundly defeated, largely through the efforts of the labor unions and the trial lawyers. The Vindicator was the only major metropolitan newspaper to oppose merit selection at that time.
In your editorial of May 28, you have now signed on to this good government issue. While your support is late, it is important. Perhaps the recent local events involving members of the judiciary or your article on the inability of Trumbull County voters to recognize the names of any of the appellate judicial candidates in the 11th District prompted your change of heart.
I look forward to your strong continued support of merit selection. Better late than never.
DAVID C. COMSTOCK Sr.
Poland