This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Serving sizes

Excess caloric intake, especially through easy access to oversized meal options, can lead to excess weight gain and obesity. Some studies show that individuals will serve and eat more food when provided with larger plates and bowls compared to smaller ones. In addition, larger portions of energy-dense foods also promote overconsumption. Therefore, reducing the size and caloric content of meals can reduce the likelihood of unintended overeating, thereby encouraging healthier eating habits.

This feature reduces unintended overconsumption without imposing restrictions on consumer choice.

Part 1: Meal Sizes

Where food sold or distributed on a daily basis by (or under contract with) the project owner is prepared to order, for at least half of all available entrées, the following option is available and listed on the menu:

a.58 A version or portion of the entrée that is 650 calories or less and at a lower cost compared to the larger, regular version.
Part 2: Dinnerware Sizes

Where food sold or distributed on a daily basis on the premises by (or under contract with) the project owner is self-serve and requires the use of a serving plate, bowl or cup, each of the following is met (as applicable):

a. Circular plates: the diameter of a plate is no larger than 24 cm [9.5 inches].
b. Non-circular plates: the total surface area of a plate does not exceed 452 cm³ [70 inches³].
c. Bowls are no larger than 296 mL [10 oz].
d. Cups are no larger than 240 mL [8 oz].
Endocrine
Digestive
Cardiovascular
Immune

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Meal Sizes - O O
Part 2: Dinnerware Sizes - O O
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Meal Sizes O O - O -
Part 2: Dinnerware Sizes O O - O -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Meal Sizes Operations Schedule Spot Check
Part 2: Dinnerware Sizes Operations Schedule Spot Check
58

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Food Standards. http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cardiovascular/heart_disease/toolkits/docs/cafeterias_cafes_implementation_guide.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed September 15, 2014.

47.1.a

The New York State Department of Health's Cafes/Cafeterias Implementation Guide recommends eateries serve at least one healthy value meal that contains no more than 650 calories.